Welling United fell to a 1-0 friendly defeat at Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday evening as pre-season continued in Essex.

There was little to separate the sides during the first half, but a penalty proved to be the difference come half-time with the hosts taking a one-goal lead into the break.

After a foul in the box, Tom Richardson stepped up to fire Heybridge ahead on the 29-minute mark.

As usual in pre-season, there were plenty of changes throughout the match and the Wings looked to step up the tempo in the second half with James Dyer narrowly clearing the bar with a good-looking free-kick, before testing the keeper with an effort aimed towards his near post.

Gil Carvalho also forced the stopper into a good save with an angled drive, while John Ufuah also saw a decent effort kept out as Welling turned the screw, taking control of the second period, but could not make the breakthrough to force a leveller.

Next up for the Wings is a friendly trip to VCD Athletic on Saturday.

Welling United: Trialist A (Trialist E), O’Neill (Trialist G 58), Vaughan (Simmons 46), Majoyegbe, Trialist B (Carvalho 32), Trialist C (Lewis 46), Paxman (J Leahy 58), Trialist D (Trialist F 58), T Leahy (Dyer 46), Cundle (Sinai 46), Shakpoke (Ufuah 33).

Subs (not used): Andrews.