Welling United suffered a cruel defeat at the hands of Lewes at the Dripping Pan on Saturday afternoon.

With the Wings and the Rooks both getting on top in either half, the sides cancelled each other out in a closely-fought encounter in East Sussex.

But after Welling were reduced to 10 men in injury-time following Jack Paxman’s red card, Kaan Bennett’s goal in the 12th minute of nine added on denied them what would have been a deserved point on the road.

The visitors enjoyed much the better of the first half and could, perhaps, count themselves unlucky not to go into the break ahead.

John Ufah sent an effort inches wide of the post from the edge of the box with just two minutes on the clock, before TQ Addy missed a git-edged opportunity seven minute later when he stretched to send Ufuah’s centre over the bar from six yards.

Later in the half, Welling came close again from a corner as Lekan Majoyegbe nodded Jamie Reynolds’ corner just wide of the right-hand upright.

Lews seemingly got a hold of proceedings in the second half as they came out with purpose after the restart. Roraigh Brown was forced into a pair of saves in quick succession – first rushing out well to smother Kaan Bennett’s effort after he had raced into the box, before getting down low to his right to tip Parish Muirhead’s shot around the post.

For Welling’s part, they were unable to carve out and real opportunities in the second period, and they were forced to battle on for the nine minutes of additional time that were signalled with 10 men after Paxman was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Bennett.

Ultimately, that would prove costly as the hosts took advantage of their numerical advantage by scoring the winner in the 12th minute of additional time, three minutes beyond the minimum signalled.

A shot from outside the box was parried by Browne, but only as far as Bennett, who put away the rebound from close range to break Welling hearts at the death.

The visitors very nearly equalised in the 17th minute of time added on when goalkeeper Browne came up for a corner to head towards goal, hitting the post, while Ufuah could not put away the rebound.

The Wings will now regroup after Christmas as they welcome Brentwood Town to Park View Road next Saturday afternoon.

Lewes: Rogers, Kpakpe, Bernal, Christian-Law, Hamstead, Allen, Franzen-Jones, Unqin, Walker, Muirhead, Burchell.

Subs: Watson, Bassett, Hamouchene, Bennett, West.

Booked: Christian-Law 83 (foul)

Goal: Bennett 90+12

Welling United: Browne, Savane, Majoyegbe, Arthur, Pepe (Walker 70), Thomas, Black (Chambers 64), Reynolds (Paxman 74), Addy (Cundle 84), Ufuah, Sach (Oke-William 77).

Booked: Chambers 71 (foul)

Referee: Thomas Copping

Att: 800