Braintree 2 Welling 1

WELLING let an early lead slip as they went down to play-off rivals Braintree on Tuesday night.

The Wings had enjoyed the perfect start against a team that began the night two points and one place below them in Conference South.

Skipper Jamie Day curled a perfect 30-yard right-footed free-kick beyond the reach of keeper Nicky Morgan as early as the seventh minute to put Welling ahead.

They nearly doubled the advantage minutes later but Morgan was equal to Ellis Green's snapshot.

Welling's dominance was short-lived, however, as a comedy of errors involving keeper Jamie Turner, Steve Perkins and Chris Moore ended with Bertie Brayley tapping into an empty net after 14 minutes to equalise.

Skipper Brad Quinton then fired against the post for the home side before Braintree took the lead after 31 minutes.

Another needless free-kick was given away by Welling and David Lee's cross was headed in by Eugene Ofori.

Welling enjoyed plenty of possession after the break but Danny Kedwell headed straight at the keeper from Day's free-kick.

James Hawes rattled the woodwork for Braintree, who should have had Brayley sent off for throwing a punch late on but he escaped without even a caution.