Festive season woe continued for Welling United as they slumped to defeat at Eastbourne Borough.

No fewer than six personnel changes were made to the starting line-up by the Welling management team following their awful second half display at home to Dartford on Boxing Day.

However, it made no difference as they put in another performance that was lacking in passion for the first hour and an average Eastbourne team picked off the three points that puts the Wings into the relegation dog fight.

Goalkeeping coach Scott Chalmers-Stevens was forced into playing for Eastbourne and made the first save of the match when Anthony Cook delivered a deep free kick, Rob Swaine headed it across goal and Nathan Green got up to test the Sports’ keeper.

At the other end, Nick Wheeler’s cross was not cleared but Dean Cox did not take advantage and shot well wide of the far post.

Charlie Walker was then played in behind but shot high and wide of the near post before he had another chance but again fired well off target.

Theo Widdrington was presented with a shooting chance for Welling by Anthony Cook but Chalmers-Stevens made an easy save before Kane Wills fired high and wide for Eastbourne.

Midway through the first half, the hosts went ahead. Cox sent over a cross but Chiori Johnson’s header out fell kindly for Walker and he fired into the bottom corner from twenty yards.

Then followed an uneventful fifteen minutes before Eastbourne doubled their lead. Wheeler made space easily on the left wing and cut back to cross. There appeared to be no danger but it was allowed to bounce and Stephane Bombeuenga got in front of his man to finish easily.

Early in the second period, Welling made a change bringing on Moses Emmanuel and changing formation and soon after his deflected shot brought a low save out of Chalmers-Stevens.

He then won a loose ball in midfield and sent Cook away but his shot went just the wrong side of the near post with the Eastbourne goalkeeper a spectator.

Kristian Campbell had a long shot saved well by Dan Wilks before Montel Agyemang sent debutant Dipo Akinyemi through but his drive flew wide of the near post. Akinyemi then hit a hopeful volley wide from twenty five yards before making way for Korrey Henry.

Cox made a terrible challenge on Jay Rich-Baghuelou but Welling broke so the referee allowed them the advantage. When play broke down, Danny Waldren fouled Walker and was cautioned but the referee failed to take the appropriate action on Cox.

Walker shot well wide after Wills had created the opening before Welling missed a good chance when Henry got clear but shot well wide.

After five of the six additional minutes had passed Emmanuel got clear and finished in style but it was too little too late as Welling crumbled to another bad defeat.

Welling United: Wilks, Johnson (Emmanuel 52), Green, Waldren, Swaine, Rich-Baghuelou, Cosgrave (Henry 66), Agyemang, Akinyemi (Goldberg 66), Widdrington, Cook. Subs not used: McCallum, Anderson.