Welling United fell to a derby-day defeat to in-form Dartford at Princes Park on Saturday.

Aftrer an impressive first-half performance which saw the Wings take a one-goal lead into the break thanks to Ruben Shakpoke’s goal, they came undone with the Darts striking two blows early in the second half, before adding a third late on to take the points.

The Wings made a lightning-quick start to proceedings, taking the lead with just three minutes on the clock, and in some style.

With Shakpoke taking the ball down nicely just outside the box, he took a touch and sent a brilliant, low effort towards goal, which hit the right-hand upright and nestled in the net for 1-0.

Welling controlled much of the opening 45 minutes and came close to a second on 18 minutes when John Ufuah broke down the left-hand side to get in the box with just Jonny Henly to beat, but the Darts stopper made a vital save to keep him out.

Just before the half-hour mark, the home side came close when George Whitefield’s header was nodded off the line by Luke O’Neill, while Eddie Dsane’s low effort came back off the post from the edge of the box 10 minutes later.

Back at the other end, Scott Simmons forced Henly into  a stop from close range, while Shakpoke stung the the palms of the goalkeeper just before the break as the Wings headed for the dressing rooms with a slender lead at half-time.

All of Welling’s good first-half work would soon be undone, however, as Dartford hit two quickfire goals soon after the restart to get their noses in front.

First, Dsane was able to turn in from close range after a cross from the left, before the forward struck again just four minutes later when he placed a shot into the net from Sami Carruthers’ lay-off.

The Wings pushed to get themselves back level, but the closest they came was a Lekan Majoyegbe effort from close range  which was cleared off the line after rolling past the keeper, before the Darts put a final nail in their visitors’ coffin in the 79th minute by netting a third.

Olly Box took  the plaudits, finding the top right-hand corner with an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box to end any lingering Welling hopes.

Rod Stringer’s Wings will finally return to Park View Road after a run of nine consecutive away game on Tuesday evening when they host Folkestone Invicta.

Dartford: Henly, Okoye, Carruthers, Whitefield, Jones, Dsane, Box, Tennant, Bland, Olarewaju, Pinder.

Subs: S Smith, D Smith, Sullivan, Carter, Atkins.

Goals: Dsane 47, Dsane 51, Box 79

Welling United: Niemczycki, O’Neill  (Walker 52), Majoyegbe, Young, Simmons, Thomas, Allen (Scott 85), Ebuzoeme, Paxman (Akinwande 80), Ufuah (Clout 65), Shakpoke.

Subs (not used): Redfearn.

Booked: Ufuah 37 (dissent), Shakpoke 62 (foul), Simmons 74 (foul)

Goal: Shakpoke 3

Referee: Nicholas Dunn.

Att: 1,525

(Photo: Kieran North)