Welling United fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Folkestone Invicta att Park View Road on Tuesday evening.

The hosts came close early on when John Ufuah did brilliantly to get into the box on the left-hand side and flash a ball across the face of goal which was very nearly turned in from close range, only for the visitors t desperately scramble clear.

It would be Folkestone, however, who would open the scoring on 17 minutes via a set-piece. A corner from the left was met by the head of the unmarked Dean Rance, who completed the simple task of nodding into the net.

Rance proved to be a threatening figure throughout and came close to a second on the stroke of half-time when he fired over from close range, while Jake Hutchinson also sent a gilt-edged opportunity wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.

Welling were finding it difficult to create anything meaningful in front of goal, while Folkestone maintained control, coming close again when Rance saw a shot saved on the line by Damian Niemczycki.

Just after the hour mark, the hosts did finally test the Invicta stopper when Leo Young struck a well-hit volley just inside the box, drawing a fine, low save from Ted Collins in the Folkestone goal.

With 18 minutes remaining, Folkestone added a second. An initial shot was saved, but Mikey Berry was on hand to stoop and somehow head in from a tight angle to dampen any hopes the Wings may have had of regaining a foothold on the game, before Joe Pigott put the final nail in the coffin with a goal from close range in the 81st minute.

Welling return to action at Park View Road on Saturday when they host Burgess Hill Town.

Welling United: Niemczycki, Young, Chima (Adjetey-Brew 82), Majoyegbe, Walker, Thomas, Ebuzoeme, Allen (Paxman 44), Redfearn (Akinwande 82), Ufuah, Shakpoke (Clout 32).

Subs (not used): Simmons.

Folkestone Invicta: Collins, McKenzie, Smith, Odeniran, Lokko, Berry, Rance, Hutchinson, Pigott, Lovatt, Orji.

Subs: Ogunseri, Parkinson, Dolan, Jebb, Strouts.

Goal: Rance 17, Berry 72, Pigott 81

Referee: Steven Goldup

Att: 321

(Photo: Kieran North)