Welling United’s wait for a Vanarama Conference win goes on after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Grimsby at Blundell Park on Saturday.

Wings slipped to third-bottom after conceding either side of the break, though their spirited second-half display did not yield any rewards.

The hosts took the lead six minutes before half-time when a cross from Scott Neilson cross was turned past Wings keeper Jamie Turner first-time by Grimsby frontman Jon-Paul Pittman.

Welling player-boss Jamie Day saw a shot deflected wide and came close to helping his side restore parity after the break when he beat two men and slipped in Tyrone Marsh – on as a sub for Kieron St Aimie in the opening half-hour – who could only fire wide of James McKeown’s goal.

Marsh also should have done better than blaze over the bar after being found by Jake Gallagher soon after but despite a much-improved second-half display, the game was up for the Wings on 71 minutes when Malachi Hudson fouled Paul Bignot in the area, allowing Ross Hannah to beat Turner from the penalty spot.

Chris Bush was also deemed fortunate to have escaped punishment for a seemingly high-challenge, though he was booked for dissent before being subbed as tensions frayed in the final 20 minutes.

Wings return to Park View Road on Tuesday night to entertain Braintree.