There was late, late heartbreak for Welling United when they fell to Isthmian League Premier Division defeat at Lewes.

Referee Thomas Copping had made curious decisions, mystifying both teams throughout, however, nobody had expected him to add nine minutes stoppage time after a relatively quiet second period. Incidents within additional time caused him to extend the time and in the thirteenth minute of time added on Kaan Bennett forced home the only goal.

Incredibly, another four minutes were played and Welling hit the woodwork before the match ended in disappointment for them.

They started well and John Ufuah shot wide before Lewes had an opportunity when Charlie Walker had a shot beaten out by Roraigh Browne and Dylan Pepe was quickest to the rebound to hook it away.

Ufuah’s pace again caused problems for the hosts’ defence and TQ Addy did well to keep up and come in to meet his low cross however, having got there he was unable to keep it down and fired over from four yards out. The speedy wide man continued to cause problems and twice won corners that were wasted before Walker fired a free kick well over.

Chris Arthur headed over from a Jamie Reynolds corner then Reynolds struck a first time effort over the angle of bar and post. Another of his deliveries picked out Lekan Majoyegbe but he was unable to guide his header on target before the Rooks had the last attempt of the half with a long range drive by Olly Hamstead that drifted wide.

After the break, Alex Kpapke shot well wide of Browne’s far post before Majoyegbe almost caught Lewes goalkeeper Louis Rogers out with a long clearance that had him scrambling back to keep it out.

Walker worked his way through but Browne came out quickly to make an excellent block then Parish Muirhead tested him with a long range skimmer that he pushed away. Walker got on the end of a corner but Browne got across well to make an excellent save.

Browne made another low save from Walker as Lewes took the game to the visitors but Welling defended well until stoppage time when a Jack Paxman tackle was deemed to be too aggressive and he was dismissed.

Muirhead again went close, and Danny Bassett hit a snapshot wide. With the final whistle overdue, Lewes broke the deadlock. An Arezki Hamouchene shot was beaten out by Browne and Bennett was first to the rebound to bundle it home.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Welling won a corner and Browne went up and met it with a towering header that came back out off the post but Ufuah was unable to force the rebound home.

That was Welling’s last chance of extending their unbeaten run and they will need to regroup ahead of their next game at home to title chasing Brentwood Town next Saturday.

Lewes: Rogers; Bernal, Burchell, Hamstead, Kpakpe (West 83); Muirhead, Christian-Law (Hamouchene 83); Allen (Bennett 37), Walker (Watson 90+14), Unwin: Franzen-Jones (Bassett 64).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Bennett (90+13)

Yellow cards: Christian-Law (82 foul), Watson (90+13 encroachment), Kpakpe (90+13 encroachment)

Welling United: Browne; Savane, Majoyegbe, Arthur, Pepe (Walker 70); Thomas; Ufuah, Reynolds (Paxman 73), Black (Chambers 64), Addy (Cundle 83); Sach (Oke-William 77), Ufuah.

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Chambers (71 foul), Majoyegbe (83 foul)

Red Card: Paxman (92 foul)

Referee: Thomas Copping

Assistants: Des McCulloch and Harry Scott

Attendance: 800

Pictures supplied by Welling United.