Welling United 1-3 Hampton & Richmond

WELLING were on the verge of breaking their 119-day spell without a league win at Park View Road before a disastrous last 13 minutes saw them concede three goals and finish with 10 men.

The Wings controlled the first half with a disciplined and efficient performance, but then the tables turned in the second half as the visitors ultimately maintained their promotion campaign with three more points.

Welling were given a scare on 12 minutes when only a great block from Robbie Ryan from Francis Quarm's driven shot kept them level.

Ohran Stewart went close with his effort from Richard Carpenter's corner, but on 32 minutes Stewart turned provider for the Wings.

A great cross into the six-yard area led to a glancing header from Sam Gargan, which found the top corner to give the Wings a rare lead during a traumatic season.

The home side were worthy of their lead and nearly doubled it six minutes later when Omari Coleman turned on the edge of the box before forcing a good save from Matt Lovett.

For all of their effort and good creative play, Welling did give a few glimpses if why they are in such a mess in the Blue Square South with some schoolboy defending.

Shaun McAuley nearly capitalised on it with two good chances before the break, but Welling hung on to a precious lead going into the interval.

The second half was a battle with only rare glimpses of good football and chances until Welling fell apart in typical fashion, similar to the way they did against Cambridge City in Andy Ford's first game in charge.

On 77 minutes, Quarm hit a cross shot into a crowd of players and the ball hit Lawrence Yaku before nestling in the back of the net.

Welling would have been happy to hang on at that stage as they were starting to tire late on, but their fate was all but sealed on 79 minutes when a rash decision from Jamie Turner to come for the ball led to the keeper being sent off.

This paved the way for young Adam Highsted to make his Wings debut and also gave him the chance to win the Welling fans over in the final 10 minutes.

Sadly for Highsted, though, the visitors took the lead with five minutes left to leave Ford and Phil Handford with their head in their hands on the touchline.

A cross in from McAuley found the head of Ian Hodges, who got in front of Highsted before heading home to silence the Welling faithful.

Amos Foyewa could have scored an equaliser, but he shot straight at Lovett and then Stuart Lake tapped home from six yards for Hampton & Richmond to make it seem all too comfortable for the visitors.

Ford's side plunged further into trouble as two of the three teams below them picked up points and they will need to up their game with a crucial run of games to come.

Welling: Turner, Howe, Ryan, Carpenter, Cobbs, Ellison-Hustwick, Green (Highsted 80), Stewart, Gargan, Coleman (Foyewa 68), Crawley (Phillips 68). Subs not used: Smith, Moore. Att: 524