Having already been beaten at home by Eastbourne Borough this season, Welling United made the return journey to the league leaders and again came away second best.

Since beating Torquay United at the start of September, the Wings have scored just five goals in nine league games, and have not managed to score more than one goal in any of them. During that period, they have only kept two clean sheets and have dropped to nineteenth in the Vanarama National League South.

They could barely have got off to a better start than going ahead with less than a minute on the clock. Zain Walker went on a screecher of a run which started midway inside his own half and took him all the way down the touchline. He then drove it across the face of goal where Freddie Carter could only block it into the path of Anointed Chukwu who fired home before wheeling away in joy.

Walker again broke through to create another opening for Chukwu, and although the striker didn’t strike it cleanly, it still troubled Eastbourne goalkeeper Finn Holter who was happy to help it around the post.

Carter had an escape when meeting Kwaku Donkor’s cross with a header that flew inches wide of his own post before Gene Kennedy hit a rocket of a free kick that flew just over.

Brayden Johnson hooked wide of the post from David Sesay’s cross for Eastbourne before Welling missed another banger of a chance. Bramble surged clear and squared unselfishly to Chukwu. Instead of hitting it first time, his first touch gave Moussa Diarra the opportunity to get across and make a great block when the shot came in.

Jack Burchell made an important jumping clearance from Yahya Bamba’s centre across the face of goal and Alex Lankshear headed out from under the bar as Carter headed goalwards. Eastbourne continued to enjoy more of the possession but did not create another opportunity before half time.

Everything changed five minutes after the break when Bird delivered a corner. Welling goalkeeper Jordan Gillmore appeared to have it covered only to drop it into his own net.

Kennedy again fired over after Chukwu knocked down Donkor’s cross before the hosts went ahead, Bird crossed to Michael Klass who brought it down before firing home.

Klass had another chance when getting on the end of a knockdown but shot beyond the far post. However, with just over fifteen minutes remaining, the Sports did score again when Bird slotted a free kick past the defensive wall for George Alexander to fire home.

Bird headed wide before Alexander added a fourth when firing home on the spin.

Although Kennedy’s low cross shot was saved by Holten at the second attempt, Welling’s challenge had been blown away like a candle in the wind and their next game, at home to second place Truro City, will be another tough test.

Welling United: Gillmore, Donkor (Johnson 76), Martin, Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Kelly (Taylor-Crossdale 64), Kennedy, Chukwu, Bramble, Walker (Long 76). Subs not used: Statham, Cornish.