There was disappointment for Welling United when falling to defeat at Torquay United in the Vanarama National League South.

Whilst Welling have never lost to Torquay in five games at their Park View Road home, they came into the match yet to claim their first point in four games at Plainmoor. That run continued with a result that looked like a straight forward home win from the score-line, however, that was far from the truth.

Having initially set up with a back line and two holding central midfielders, it appeared that Welling were looking to try and keep it tight to frustrate the league leaders and to use their wide men to attack from both flanks. However, their original plan was scuppered by a double blow within the first seven minutes. First, the visitors went behind when conceding a dubious free kick and not defending it well. Jordan Young delivered to the far post and Jordan Dyer headed home from close range.

Then Sam Cornish went down in the centre of the pitch and was not able to play any further part. Zain Walker replaced him causing Rod Stringer to change his team’s formation.

Dyer’s central defensive partner, Sam Dreyer had a chance for the Gulls but Welling goalkeeper, Dylan Berry, was equal to it and beat out his low shot.

Riccardo Di Trolio had Welling’s first opportunity with a header from a Daniel Martin corner that was claimed by James Hamon in the Torquay goal before the Gulls’ Dan Hayfield shot over from a good position and Cody Cooke headed over from close range.

Stringer tweaked his formation again at the break allowing Maxwell Statham to get forward more and he gave Torquay’s left back, Dean Moxey, a torrid time. Josh Redfearn picked out the son of former Wing Brian Statham with a raking cross field pass and the Welling wide player nodded it back to Gene Kennedy at the edge of the penalty area. His powerful drive looked destined for the back of the net until Hamon got a fingertip on it to divert it over.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Welling levelled when Kennedy picked out Statham, he crossed and TJ Bramble nodded home from close range to record his first goal of the season.

Paul Wotton, Torquay’s manager, had seen enough and replaced Moxey with Matt Carson but Welling continued to threaten without creating clear cut openings.

Fourteen minutes remained when, against the run of play, Torquay went back ahead. Carson’s cross took a slight deflection to leave Dyer, who was still up from a corner, unmarked and he made no mistake from close range.

Another corner from Martin almost produced a leveller when he found Dave Winfield who headed back across goal and Di Trolio rose highest but nodded just over.

Attacking substitutes Theo Alexandrou and Sahid Kamara were introduced by Stringer to try and find a way to earn Welling a point but it was the hosts who scored again one minute from the end. Di Trolio slipped, as he tried to head it back to Berry, allowing Cooke a free run at goal and he converted ruthlessly.

It was tough on Welling but Stringer will know that if his team keep showing the application and endeavour that they did on the English Riviera, the wins will come that will push them up the league table.

Welling United: Berry, Johnson, Martin, Statham (Alexandrou 84), Winfield, Di Trolio, Kennedy, Grant (Kamara 84), Redfearn, Bramble, Cornish (Walker 7). Subs not used: Burchell, Taylor-Crossdale.