Having played so well for scant reward in their most recent games, Welling United disappointed with defeat at home to Braintree Town.

In truth, they could have few complaints as they rarely threatened Will Norris' goal.

Manager Loui Fazakerley was absent following an operation on his achilles tendon so Matt McEntegart and Paul Barnes took on the responsibility. One change was made to the starting line up with Afolabi Obafemi replacing Ricky Wellard.

Kenny Davis tested Wings' goalkeeper Tom King in the early exchanges then Zac Fagan was called upon to make a crucial clearance before Welling went ahead.

Feasting on a long through ball, Obafemi had the strength to hold off Mark Phillips before flicking over Norris and inside the far post.

Ben Jefford headed a free kick to Obafemi, collected the return, and fired over before the visitors equalised.

Michael Cheek finished well at the far post after Welling had missed a number of chances to clear.

Sam Corne then slung over a deep cross that Jefford was just unable to finish before the Iron created a couple of chances of their own.

First Cheek shot to give King a comfortable save then he rounded the Wings' goalkeeper but was forced out wide and his cross was cleared.

Taylor Miles and Jefford then had a flare up with the former holding his face despite clearly not having been touched.

Obafemi had a shot saved after Reece Harris' cross had been turned back by Corne. Harris and Corne again combined to give the hard working George Porter a chance but Phillips made a crucial block with Norris floundering.

After the half time interval, Davis broke away and found Dan Sparkes who fired over.

At the other end Harris found room down the right wing and turned the defence inside out before cutting inside and shooting just beyond the angle of post and bar.

King was then called upon to make a double save, first from Remy Clerima and then from a deflected Sparkes shot.

Harry Lee, on loan from Leyton Orient, had a shot gathered comfortably by Norris, and at the other end, King fielded a shot from Sparkes.

Anthony Edgar was introduced as a substitute for Braintree and he made an immediate impact. His perfectly weighted through ball sent Sparkes clear, and the Iron front man gave King no chance with an accomplished finish.

Wings' substitute Tashan Adeyinka flicked a header wide before Edgar's shot went just beyond the far post having been sent away by Chez Isaac.

That proved to be the last chance as Braintree saw out the final few minutes without alarm.

Welling United: King, Fagan, Jefford, Vidal (Wellard 63), Chambers, Lokko, Corne, Lee, Obafemi, Porter (Adeyinka 58), Harris. Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Osborne, Kabba.