Welling United slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Cray Valley (PM) at Park View Road on Monday afternoon.
The Wings could not find the net despite a dominant first-half performance in which Ruben Shakpoke missed a penalty after the visitors had taken an early lead.
And there was no way back when Cray Valley added a second eight minutes into the second half as the away side shutout Welli, before adding a third at the death.
It was an action-packed start in the Bank Holiday sunshine with the hosts coming close inside the first minute when Ruben Shakpoke’s header was tipped over by an excellent save from visiting keeper Shaun Rowley.
But it would not be long before Cray Valley took the lead with just three minutes on the clock. Their first corner of the game was delivered deep and Welling could not clear their lines, leaving Jerry Puemo to be allowed to bundle the ball over the line from a couple of yards.
The Wings responded well to the early setback and came inches away from a leveller moments later when John Ufuah did well to get to the ball ahead of a defender and fire past Rowley, only for the ball to come back off the inside of the left-hand post.
Ten minutes later, it was the away side’s turn to hit the woodwork when Akanbi struck an angled volley off the crossbar as the fast-past start continued.
Welling could consider themselves a little unlucky to be heading towards the break behind and they were given a golden opportunity to restore parity just before half-time when Shakpoke was illegally blocked off in the box, leading the referee to point to the spot.
Shakpoke took the penalty himself, but saw it saved by Rowley’s outstretched leg.
Despite the positives of the first half, the hosts would find themselves further behind come the 53rd minute. A glancing header was saved by Freddie Norman at his near post, but Luke Holness was on hand to tap home the rebound.
The second half became increasingly frustrating as Welling failed to regain a foothold on proceedings.
Substitute George Holley fired wide from a good position in the box, before Shakpoke sent a decent effort skidding just wide of the post late on and Jack Paxman struck the crossbar from distance, while Marcel Barrington put the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minute when his tame effort squeezed inside the post.
The Wings turn their attention to the FA Cup next as they head to Uxbridge in a first round qualifying clash on Saturday.
Welling United: Norman, Williams-Bushell, Majoyegbe, Dobbs, Dyer, Penn (Antonio 67), Paxman, Cundle, Sinai (Holley 59), Ufuah, Shakpoke (Simmons 86).
Subs (not used): Huk, O’Neill.
Booked: Dobbs 74 (foul)
Cray Valley (PM): Rowley, Williams, Lema, Gayle (Aileru 63), Moralee, Holness, Beere (Vigor 18), Shomotun (Ajakaiye 63), Puemo, Akanbi (Barrington 77), Moore (Cumberbatch 11).
Booked: Cumberbatch 43 (foul)
Goals: Akanbi 3, Holness 53, Barrington 90
Attendance: 671
(Photos: Keith Gillard & Kieran North)
