by Matthew Panting

Welling's Blue Square South play-off hopes were left hanging by a thread after an undeserved defeat at fellow hopefuls Braintree on Good Friday.

The Wings did everything but score as they returned home empty-handed, although they were cheered off the field by a large number of travelling supporters at the end of each half.

A George Purcell goal after 14 minutes, following sloppy defending by Andy Sambrook and Jack Parkinson, was all that separated the two sides.

Welling had plenty of openings and could have easily been level by half-time but Tom Whitnell's low shot was blocked by keeper Craig Holloway and Loui Fazackerley failed to finish off a neat passing move.

Braintree had a couple of chances to finish the game off early in the second half but thereafter it was all Welling.

The visitors' best opening came with 13 minutes left when Fazackerley's cross fell to Lee Clarke but Holloway somehow touched his effort on to the inside of the post.

Substitute Michael Bakare, Whitnell and Graeme Andrews all went close for Welling - who also had a penalty appeal for handball turned down - but they were unable to claim what many observers in the 799-strong crowd believed would have been a deserved point.

Welling now need to win all four of their remaining matches to have any chance of reaching the play-offs, starting with Monday's derby at home to Dover.

Wings boss Jamie Day said: "We deserved to get something from the game but there are still four matches to go and we've got to get 12 points, and see where that gets us."

Bromley grabbed a point against play-off chasing Chelmsford City on Easter Saturday in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Hayes Lane.

Read the full match report by clicking here.

Cray Wanderers trip to Harrow Borough in the Ryman Premier Division was one of a handful of matches postponed on Easter Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.