Ten-man Welling United conceded twice in the second-half to slip to a 2-0 reverse against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Wings did however remain five points clear of fourth-bottom Dartford and the relegation zone, while the Pirates rose to third in Vanarama Conference.

The opener arrived on 53 minutes when half-time substitute Nathan Blissett latched onto a nicely-weighted pass from fellow sub Angelo Balanta before lofting the ball over Wings keeper Beni Buechel.

Things got tougher for Welling when skipper Jake Gallagher received a straight red from a lunging challenge on Lee Mansell shortly after the hour mark.

The clincher arrived 17 minutes from time when Matty Taylor was brought down in the area by Zach Fagan but duly got up to fire high into the net and all but end the game as a contest.

Former Dartford loan striker Alex Wall made his Rovers debut on loan from Luton and was thwarted by Buechel from a Jake Gosling through-ball early-on.

Stuart Sinclair blazed over when well-placed for the hosts while at the other end player-boss Jamie Day saw a curling free-kick saved by Steve Mildenhall.

Buchel blocked a Lee Brown shot before the break while Taylor turned in a Gosling cross only to be flagged offside.

Welling’s best chance came after the break as Mildenhall superbly saved a Joe Healy thunderbolt destined for the top corner while after the goals, Liechtenstein stopper Buechel somehow prevented Mansell adding a third.