Welling boss Loui Fazakerley missed his team's defeat to Braintree - and many of the home fans probably wished they'd stayed away as well.

The Wings were second best in all areas to a solid if unspectacular Braintree outfit who picked up their third straight win in Vanarama National League.

Fazakerley was in hospital following an operation on his Achilles but his team gave him little to cheer about, despite taking a fifth-minute lead.

Striker Afolabi Obafemi took advantage of a defensive slip after George Porter's ball forward to score his first Welling goal.

Braintree levelled on 15 minutes when Dan Sparkes got the better of Zach Fagan and when Welling failed to clear, the ball was worked to Michael Cheek to fire low past keeper Tom King.

King then denied the same player while below-par Fagan was caught out again in the 26th minute but Cheek, having rounded King was forced wide and unable to convert.

After the break, Braintree were always in command, despite Reece Harris firing a cross-shot wide of the target.

It was no surprise when Sparkes' low finish beat King in the 76th minute and the Wings, lacking in ideas, never looked like equalising.

Welling: King, Jefford, Fagan, Chambers, Porter (Adeyinka 69mins), Lee, Obafemi, Corne, Harris, Vidal (Wellard 64mins). Subs not used: McEntegart, Osborne, Kabba.

Attendance: 521.