Defensive frailties again proved costly for Welling United as they stumbled to defeat at Maidstone United.

They started slowly against the form team in the league and struggled to contain Joan Luque down the left wing. He had the first goal attempt from a tight angle but shot into the side netting. Roarie Deacon got in on the other side but Chi Ezzonolim made up for his initial slip by clearing off the line.

Arthur Penny deflected a Jermaine McGlashan shot over when throwing his body into the line then Jack Sims made his first save of the afternoon to thwart Luque.

Peter Taylor’s team then made their first serious raid and won a corner. Joe Muscatt found Kristian Campbell but his header was tipped over by Tom Hadler. Muscatt took the follow up corner and again picked out Campbell. He knocked it into the six yard box and Dipo Akinyemi pounced to put the Wings ahead.

Sadly, they were only able to hold the for five minutes and two goals in ninety seconds turned the game around. Deacon crashed a shot against the bar and it came out to Dominic Odusanya who finished crisply from twenty yards. Then Deacon again let fly from twenty-five yards and he gave Sims no chance with an unstoppable effort.

Welling then had a big claim for a penalty. Mason Saunders-Henry fired goal-wards and Joe Ellul raised his elbow and deflected the shot wide but only a corner was awarded.

There was little to choose between the two teams for the remainder of the half. Akinyemi shot wide then at the other end a Luque cross-shot drifted just wide. He then forced Sims into a save with his feet.

Muscatt created openings at the other end, first crossing for Akinyemi to draw an excellent save out of Hadler with a firm header before he sent Saunders-Henry clear down the right but he could only clip his effort into the side netting.

Odusanya shot straight at Sims before the first half drew to a close.

As they had done in the first half, Welling again started badly and they were punished five minutes in. A long ball over the top sent Jack Barham away. Sims rushed out and Barham lifted it over him and into the empty net.

This time there was to be no come-back and, after Luque had another shot saved, Maidstone added a fourth. Sam Corne miscued his shot but it came out to Gavin Hoyte whose sweet finish gave Sims no chance.

From then on it was almost one way traffic. Corne headed a Deacon cross back but beyond the far post then another Deacon ball into the area should have been poked home by Odusanya.

Regan Booty committed a cynical foul for which he was cautioned but Danny Parish blasted over the free kick but Sims was soon back in action saving well from Reece Grant and Corne.

He made one last save from Grant before the referee brought proceedings to a close.

Defeat dropped Welling down to eighteenth, eight points clear of the bottom spot.

Welling United: Sims, Statham, Ezennolim, Shokunbi, Perkins, Penney, Muscatt (Parish 67), Durojaiye, Akinyemi (Derry 67), Saunders-Henry, Campbell (Stevenson 73). Subs not used: Barnes, Pearce.