There was no festive cheer for Welling United in Wiltshire as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Salisbury at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Saturday, bringing an end to a five-game run without defeat.
Wet, windy and muddy conditions made for a somewhat scrappy opening 45 with little to separate the sides.
Jaden Perez wasted a good opportunity for the hosts when he blazed over from a good position in the box, but it would be Salisbury who would draw first in controversial fashion on 18 minutes.
A ball through to Ronan Silva, who looked to be stood a number of yards offside, allowed the forward to bound into the box unchallenged and square for Noah Coppin to tap home, infuriating the Welling contingent, while Rhys Lovett received a booking for his complaints.
For the Wings’ part, their only real opening came just before the break when Dave Winfield sent a free header off target at the far post.
Welling came out fr the second half with some purpose and, with the wind now blowing in their favour, looked dangerous going forward.
Martell Taylor-Crossdale was gifted a good opportunity when he dispossessed a Salisbury defender just outside the box to get himself one-on-one with the keeper only to be denied by a fine Daniel Lincoln save, while his follow-up hit the crossbar, although the referee blew for a handball just prior.
Moments later, Josh Redfearn diverted a driven cross from the right just wide from close range, before TJ Bramble saw a pair of shots well blocked in the box from a dangerous position and Zain Walker was also denied by a block in the same passage of play.
Just as it looked like it would be a matter of time before the Wings equalised, however, Salisbury got their second against the run of play.
A rare second-half foray forward saw the home side play it to Jordon Ragguette, who found the bottom right-hand corner from an angle.
Moments later, Welling were given a glimmer of hope when they were awarded a penalty with 16 minutes remaining – debutant Theo Alexandrou being dragged down in the box, leaving Gene Kennedy to step up and make no mistake from 12 yards.
But the Wings could not build on that goal and it would prove to be a mere consolation, with Sailsbury awarded their own spot-kick in the dying minutes.
Raguette was felled in the box by substitute Anthony Grant and Coppin stepped up to secure his brace from 12 yards.
In truth, the scoreline was a little harsh on the visitors, but they will head back to south London empty-handed and lick their wounds ahead of a Boxing Day visit of Chelmsford City to Park View Road.
Welling United: Lovett, Statham (Martin 89), Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Bramble (Grant 86), Cornish, Kennedy, Z Walker (Johnson 71), Taylor-Crossdale (Alexandrou 62)., Redfearn.
Subs (not used): Perkins.
Booked: Lovett 18 (dissent), Bramble (foul), Winfield 84 (foul)
Goal: Kennedy 74 (pen)
Salisbury: Lincoln, Coxe (Franklin 89), Leggett, Wilkinson, Watts, Jombati, Sommerton, Silva, Perez (Elliott-Wheeler 75), Ragguette, Coppin.
Subs (not used): Carroll, Lewis, Dore.
Booked: Silva 42 (foul on Winfield), Coxe 61 (time wasting), Coppin 88 (unsporting behaviour), Elliott-Wheeler 90+1 (foul)
Goal: Coppin 18, 88 (pen), Ragguette 69
Referee: Liam Corbett
Att: 850
