Despite changes to personnel and shape, Welling United’s problems in each penalty area persisted and another three points were lost at home to Aveley.

Second Welling debuts were handed to Daniel Carr and Chiori Johnson. Their other new signing, Josiah Bridgeman, took a place on the substitute’s bench. Danny Bloor, the Wings’ manager, also changed from his favoured back four to a back three plus wing backs.

Whatever formation Bloor deploys makes little difference when individual errors hamstring his plans. Two such mistakes in the first fifteen minutes cost goals and put Welling firmly on the back foot. First, a standard cross was not cleared allowing Nana Kyei a sight at goal and he smashed it home.

Then they failed to clear and Kyei nicked it away before crossing for Alex Hernandez to put the Millers two up.

Although Welling then enjoyed the majority of the remainder of the first half, winning several corners, they struggled to create clear cut opportunities. Johnson shot wide before Kain Adom’s deflected shot was saved by Aveley goalkeeper Jonathan North.

As the first half drew to a close, Kyei came close again but was thwarted by a fine save by Reice Charles-Cook before more poor marking allowed Charlee Hughes time and space to thrash home a third goal.

There was still time for Welling to miss a great chance before the half time break. Crossley Lema’s shot was well saved by North at the cost of a corner. Cameron Green’s delivery was returned to him giving him a better angle to pick out Anthony Grant at the far post. He rose, however not quite high enough, and he was unable to keep his header down from close range.

At the break, Bloor introduced youngsters Enoch Muwonge and David Kamara in place of Taylor Curran and Carr, and reverted to a back four. Both looked to make a mark with Muwonge forcing an excellent save out of North, and Kamara having a shot deflected past the post.

Just after the hour mark, the Wings pulled one back. Hernandez brought down Adom inside the box and referee Nicholas Dunn pointed to the spot. Adom waited patiently away from the penalty area while Hernandez received treatment before stepping up and converting confidently.

Adom came close again when getting in behind the Aveley defence but North was out quickly to smother before Green’s inviting cross just evaded Antony Papadopoulos when he arrived late at the far post.

Josh Chambers replaced Grant with eight minutes remaining and had a shot saved by North before a rare Aveley attack almost brought them a fourth goal when Charles-Cook got down well to save from Emmanuel Ogunrinde.

Papadopoulos had a late shot beaten out by North, after which he wasn’t bothered again as Aveley saw out the additional seven minutes without alarm.

Next Saturday, Welling are in F.A. Trophy action when hosting National League leaders Chesterfield.

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Green, Johnson, Curran (Muwonge 46), Bramble, Papadopoulos, Odusanya, Carr (Kamara 46), Adom, Grant (Chambers 82). Sub not used: Bridgeman, Byrd.