WELLINGTON suffered their fifth successive defeat when they went down 2-0 away to AFC St Austell in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League.

However, they were unlucky to lose with a pair of late goals robbing them of the draw they deserved from their first very visit to newly promoted St Austell.

Defeat meant Wellington slipped to 17th in the table with only Saltash United, Torpoint Athletic and Welton Rovers below them.

There was never much to choose between the sides and a goalless draw looked like being a fair result.

But St Austell took the lead with eight minutes left and added another deep in stoppage time to stretch the Tangerines’ losing run in the league to four games.

Manager Richard Cherry made a number of changes after the 1-0 defeat at Bridgwater United, during which defender Jordan Hayman suffered a broken foot, and his line-up included a debut for Phil Mendonca, signed on dual registration with Taunton Town.

Wellington, who repelled a couple of threatening attacks early on, thought they had been awarded a penalty after 18 minutes for a push on Harry Scott. But, after consulting with his assistant, the referee instead awarded a free kick just outside the box which came to nothing.

A sharp save by keeper Jake Viney ensured a first half devoid of clearcut chances finished goalless.

Cherry made a double substitution at half-time but it remained a similar story after the break. The game had 0-0 written all over it until St Austell broke the deadlock after 82 minutes. A cross from the left dropped inside the far post with Liam Eddy claiming the slightest of touches.

That was the signal for Wellington to throw men forward in search of a equaliser and they were caught on the break in the fifth minute of added time, Max Gilbert racing away to shoot low past Viney.

Meanwhile, Wellington face another trip into Cornwall on Saturday, September 14 – this time to Torpoint Athletic – before they finally play at home to Barnstaple on Wednesday, September 18.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Ryan Hibbert, Kieran Bailey, Jason Quick, Sam Gleeson, Harry Scott, Glen Wright, Sam Sheldrake, Josh Lukins, Phil Mendonca, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Sam Towler, Lewis Smith, Matt Crawley, Oscar Albano (all used). Attendance: 173.

Elsewhere, Clevedon Town opened up a two-point lead at the top of the table after winning 5-0 away to Welton Rovers who are still in the throes of rebuilding after last season's poor form in which they finished second from bottom but avoided relegation.

Second placed Street dropped two points in a 2-2 away draw with fourth placed Buckland Athletic while the most stunning result of the day was Paulton Rovers' 7-2 home win over Bridgwater United.