WELLINGTON failed to end their lean spell when they went down 1-0 at home to Buckland Athletic in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League on Boxing Day.

The Tangerines had climbed to sixth in the table at one stage this season after a string of victories but slipped back to 13th after this loss, their fourth in succession in the league.

But they could take heart from a much better showing against seventh-place Buckland, who they knocked out of the FA Cup 1-0 earlier in the season.

Wellington’s goal that day was scored by Miles Quick and he returned to the starting 11, while on leave from the Marines, along with dual-registered striker Josh Baker.

Both sides had early openings in an entertaining first half with Jake Quick having a “goal” disallowed for the hosts before Sam Gleeson cleared off the line to deny Ryan Bush at the other end.

But it was the visitors from Newton Abbot who broke the deadlock on the half-hour. Myles James took aim from distance and fired a long-range drive which skipped off the wet surface and past keeper Jake Viney.

It stayed 1-0 until the break and Wellington then took the game to Buckland in the second half, pegging them back for long spells. Jake Quick and Tom Stone both saw headers go over the bar and they also had appeals for a penalty turned down.

Buckland nearly doubled their lead from a set piece after 64 minutes, but they were left hanging on as Wellington attempted to end their goal drought which stretched back to November 20.

Sub Sully McKenna saw a close-range effort deflected into the side netting and skipper Sam Towler’s well-struck volley brought a flying save out of keeper Adam Seedhouse-Evans just before the final whistle.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Mark Cornish, Tom Stone, Jordan Hayman, Sam Gleeson, Miles Quick, Sam Pashen, Sam Towler, Josh Lukins, Josh Baker, Jake Quick. Substitutes, Nathan Byrne, Sully McKenna, Alex Cherry, Sam Sheldrake, Lewis Jennings.

Elsewhere Portishead Town maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-0 away win over Brislington while Brixham AFC kept in second place after they won 5-1 at home to Ivybridge. Barnstaple Town, in third spot, won 4-0 at Ilfracombe.

Unfortunately, there was no joy for struggling Welton Rovers who were beaten 5-0 at home by Shepton Mallet - their 25th loss in 25 matches.

Results: Brislington 0, Portishead Town 3; Brixham AFC 5, Ivybridge Town 1; Ilfracombe Town 0, Barnstaple Town 4; Nailsea & Tickenham 1, Clevedon Town 5; Paulton Rovers 4, Oldland Abbotonians 2; Saltash United 2, Torpoint Athletic 0; St Blazey 4, AFC St Austell 2; Street 0, Bridgwater United 1; Wellington 0, Buckland Athletic 1; Welton Rovers 0, Shepton Mallet 5.