Basingstoke 2 Welling 1

WELLING were made to pay for their defensive short-comings once again as they lost out at mid-table Basingstoke on Saturday.

The Wings went behind after 27 minutes when Michael Charles lobbed keeper Jamie Turner, who returned in the Welling goal.

The Wings were on level terms just three minutes later when Omari Coleman fired home from 20 yards but a galring error by defender Adam Cottrell saw him fail to clear Jason Bristow's header on the line and Basingstoke were 2-1 up after 39 minutes.

Cottrell was replaced by Ellis Green at half-time and Welling proceeded to dominate the next 45 minutes, but despite all their possession - playing with the wind and down the slope - the Wings failed to find an equaliser.

Green was denied by Nick Hamann before Tony Sinclair flicked wide.

Andy Pugh and Sam Keevil were both denied before Pugh's close range effort was charged down by Robert Watkins but referee Roger Vaughan only gave a corner when it appeared that the block had been made with an arm.

Welling had another penalty appeal turned down and despite late efforts by Chris Moore and skipper Richard Carpenter they were unable to make their pressure pay.