Hopes of following up their draw on Saturday with a victory were dashed when Welling United crashed to a dismal defeat at Enfield Town in the Vanarama National League South.

This was the third game in a row for Welling against teams in the bottom four, and three wins would have all but ensured them safety from the drop. However, claiming just one point out of nine has put the Wings in danger. Should Enfield and St Albans City win their games in hand, Rod Stringer’s team will drop into the bottom three.

Coming into the game, the Towners were unbeaten in four and had won their last two, both with clean sheets.

Although Welling started relatively well, they soon found themselves struggling to defend deliveries from Jack Bates. One was punched out as far as Sam Youngs who headed it back towards goal. Rhys Lovett clawed it out as far as Charlie Stallard who hooked it back in and found Hisham Kasimu at the far post, and he poked it wide from close range. Adam Thompson then blasted over when picked out by another Bates corner.

Dave Winfield reacted quickest in a scramble in the Enfield penalty area and got a shot away but a brave block kept it out before his blushes were saved at the other end when Lovett made a point blank range save when his header was misdirected from a further Bates delivery.

James Alabi created another opening for the Wings when he brought a long pass down with his chest for Josh Redfearn to play Dan Martin through. However, Enfield goalkeeper Rhys Forster was off his line quickly to smother.

Soon after, the hosts went ahead. Bates struck a free kick that was turned round the post by Lovett before the Enfield dead ball specialist delivered to the near post and Sam Youngs finished from close range.

Shortly before half time, Welling had one last half chance when Jayden Davis tried to catch Forster out from a misplaced clearance but his lob flew just over.

Early in the second period, Bates fired over from a free kick before the hosts scored a crucial second. Bates sent former Wing Anointed Chukwu through and he found the bottom corner for his first Enfield goal.

Despite Stringer making changes, Enfield were not unduly troubled by the Wings and might have gone further ahead when Kasimu shot just beyond the far post.

TJ Bramble fired over from distance and Gene Kennedy had a shot deflected wide, but the hosts saw out the remainder of the game comfortably.

Welling United: Lovett, Davis (Kamara 67), Martin (H. Walker 67), Quick, Winfield, Di Trolio, Kennedy, Grant (Z. Walker 50), Alabi, Redfearn (Burchell 71), Bramble. Sub not used: Cornish.