Whilst Welling United are picking up superb results on the road, they continue to struggle at home and were second best in their defeat against East Thurrock United.

Injury to Jeffrey Monakana meant that Welling manager Jamie Coyle had to shuffle his pack. Ben Jefford returned to left back and Archie Johnson took up the wide left midfield role with Christian Nanetti wide right. Jack Jebb was left out for Harry Phipps who returned for a second loan spell from Maidstone United. Joe Healy was restored to the starting line up following his suspension.

Just four minutes were on the clock when the Rocks had their first clear cut opening. Sam Higgins set up Tom Richardson and his well struck shot looked destined for the bottom corner but Ryan Sandford made a stunning save to keep it out.

Reece Harris then cut in and shot but Sandford made another good save at the expense of a corner.

At the other end, Phipps found Bradley Goldberg who made himself some space to shoot but was unable to hit the target.

He then turned provider and found Joe Healy but Welling's leading scorer's shot was deflected wide.

Harris took a free kick for the Rocks that found Max Cornhill in space but his firm header was saved brilliantly by Sandford and the Millwall loanee stopper was in action again soon after. This time Montell Agyemang was given room in the Welling penalty area but his header was tipped over acrobatically by Sandford.

Harry Wright, East Thurrock's custodian, was then called into action and he made a good save from Goldberg who had been picked out by Nanetti.

Higgins had a shot saved comfortably by Sandford before East Thurrock broke the deadlock. Higgins pulled back from wide right and Harris was given time and space to fire home.

Goldberg was found by Healy and his fierce drive was beaten out by Wright as Welling looked to make a quick response.

Just before the break, Phipps had a free kick saved by Wright. That proved to be the last of the action for the midfielder as he was replaced at the interval by Tom Bradbrook.

For a moment, it looked as if he was going make an immediate impact when bursting through but Marvin Ekpiteta got back to make a crucial last ditch tackle.

Healy then headed well wide from a near post Goldberg corner before he was also thwarted by Ekpiteta who blocked bravely in the six yard box.

Bradbrook appeared to be bundled over in the penalty area but the referee waved away the appeals. So incensed was Connor Dymond that he was booked for his excessive protests.

Johnson then missed a great opportunity when slicing his shot with the goal gaping after Wright had kept out Goldberg's shot.

Calvin Ekpiteta cut in and shot but Sandford saved easily before Bradbrook headed wide from a Nanetti cross.

Nanetti then hit a daisy cutter from well out that Wright saved easily, and he was grateful to save again when Johnson's cross hit Bradbrook and could have gone anywhere.

Dymond made a rash late tackle, when East Thurrock next mounted an attack, and received a second yellow for Welling's fifth dismissal of the season. Once he had left the field, Higgins took the free kick but was aghast to see it come back off the upright.

However, his pain turned to joy a couple of minutes later. Collecting a long ball out, he shrugged off Jack Parkinson and gave Sandford no chance with a trademark Higgins finish.

Disheartened Welling were unable to threaten again and Higgins made sure of the points with a beautiful curler in off the far post with nine minutes remaining.

Welling United: Sandford, Dymond, Jefford (E Phipps 75), Durojaiye, Coyle, Parkinson, Nanetti (Jebb 79), Healy, H Phipps (Bradbrook 46), Goldberg, Johnson. Subs not used: Gayle, Francis.