Welling boss Jamie Coyle praised the performance of his team against Dartford despite losing out on Boxing Day.

The Wings were soundly beaten at promotion-chasing Chelmsford on Saturday in National League South.

But they showed plenty of character to fight back from 2-0 down against Dartford and Coyle was suitably impressed.

“After what happened on Saturday, we could have crumbled after going 1-0 down so early,” said the Welling boss.

“We stuck at it, and I thought all over the pitch we more than competed and were the better team for the majority of the game. In both boxes, they defended really well and put their chances away and we didn’t quite do so.

“I take so many positives away from it. The reaction we’ve had. There were some individual performances which were great.

“There’s little bits and bobs we need to tidy up, like stopping crosses and marking men instead of space in our 18-yard box.

“I’m pleased with the effort and individual performances. We’ve come away with nothing but it was far better in comparison to Saturday (at Chelmsford).”

Coyle missed out on playing due to illness and added: “If there’s one game I look at when the fixtures come out at the start of the season, it’s against your former club.

“It wasn’t fair to the boys to put myself in and gamble, I was in bed all of Christmas Day.”

Welling also lost Bradley Goldberg to injury at half-time, although Coyle is hoping that they’ve prevented a lengthy lay-off for the striker.

“He tweaked his hamstring which is a big loss,” said Coyle. “I thought he was our only standout player at Chelmsford.

“It was only precautionary because I don’t want to lose him for six or eight weeks by playing him in the second half.”