Welling United 0 Basingstoke 2

WELLING'S play-off aspirations took a severe blow on Tuesday night when lowly Basingstoke collected a deserved win at Princes Park.

The defeat means that Welling have now lost three of the four home games they had to play midweek at other venues due to the floodlight problems at Park View Road.

The Wings can have no complaints about the final scoreline as Basingstoke extended their unbeaten run with an impressive display.

It could have been different had keeper Stuart Searle not made a brilliant save to deny Danny Kedwell in the second minute.

When referee Berry only showed a yellow card to the visitors' David Ray for a professional foul on Steve Harper, it seemed that it was not going to be Welling's night.

Basingstoke grew in confidence as the half wore on and took the lead on 38 minutes. A good break and cross down the right by Dean Lodge saw Anthony Storey arrive late in the box to head beyond keeper Jamie Turner.

It was 2-0 four minutes into the second half when a left-wing corner was cleared as far as former Gravesend player Ben Surey, who produced a magical volley from 30 yards to leave Turner stranded.

Welling battled hard but failed to force Searle into serious action and it was Basingstoke who looked like scoring again with dangerous counter-attacks.

The defeat leaves Welling fifth and means they are now relying on other sides to drop points if they are to make the play-offs.

Welling travel to already-relegated Bedford on Saturday.

* Keep up to date with all the news from Park View Road every week in the Bexley Extra.