Welling’s unusual dip in home form continued on Tuesday when they were beaten for the fifth time this calendar year on home soil.

The Wings, who were unbeaten at home in winning the Conference South title, were undone by crisis club Hereford, who edged closer to safety thanks to Kingsley James’ second-half strike.

Much of Welling’s approach play, particularly in the first half, was pretty on the eye but they lacked a clinical finish when they needed it most. They created three chances in as many minutes early on, Tobi Sho-Silva and Toby Ajala both saw long-range efforts pushed away by keeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston, who was then beaten by Sho-Silva’s header from a Harry Beautyman corner, only for a defender to clear the ball off the line.

Leading scorer Ross Lafayette twice failed to head home from good crosses while Hereford were restricted to just two long-range attempts at the other end, the latter seeing keeper Lee Butcher make his only save of the night to turn behind Frankie Artus’ shot.

Loui Fazakerley cut inside but saw his near-post shot saved just before the break while Welling lost their way after the break.

Josh Wakefield had to clear an effort off the line but within a minute, James capitalised on a Blaine Hudson error and shot home from 20 yards.

Welling should have levelled three minutes later but skipper Lee Clarke headed Wakefield’s cross wide at the far post.

Harry Beautyman twice went close to an equaliser late on, the second attempt in stoppage time rolling agonisingly wide of the upright.