Eastbourne Borough boss Garry Wilson admitted a second defeat in three days was a "major blow' to his side's chances of winning the Blue Square south title.

After going down 2-1 to Bromley on Saturday, Borough were condemned to a 1-0 defeat at Welling on Monday by a late penalty from former Albion midfielder Richard Carpenter.

Borough stayed top by a point from Lewes, whose home game against Fisher Athletic was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, but the Rooks have a game in hand.

Wilson said: "There are a lot of disappointed faces in the dressing room and so there should be.

"This was a real chance for us but we put in a very poor performance. The two defeats are a major blow to our title chances."

Wilson made four changes to the side that lost against Bromley. In came Ben Austin, Matt Smart, Darren Baker and top scorer Andy Atkin but they could not prevent a flat performaance.

Borough's best chance of the first half came on 15 minutes. Pat Harding, playing in an unfamiliar left-midfield role, released Atkin but the striker dragged his effort wide of a post when well placed.

Weling, who are battling against relegation, seemed determined to capitalise on a lacklustre Borough display.

Tricky winger Ellis Green found some space but his fierce shot was deflected and beaten away by Lee Hook before Sonny Cobbs, who is on loan from Albion, was unlucky to see his 20th-minute effort flash wide of a post.

Welling should have scored on the half-hour. More wing trickery from Green found Daniel Nuamze with time and space but he wastefully headed wide from six yards.

Jay Lovett had an angled shot beaten away and the returning Smart was lucky to avoid a booking for diving in as a poor first half drew to a close.

Welling's other Albion loanee, Sam Gargan, had a near post effort well saved by Hook as the hosts started the second half strongly before Wilson's men finally produced some passing football.

Austin went close when he narrowly fired over and the visitors looked the more likely to press forward and claim the winner.

Atkin, who has 27 goals to his name this season, headed just wide from substitute Matt Crabb's corner before keeper Jamie Turner finger-tipped another Atkin header to safety.

Armstrong had a couple of efforts saved by the impressive Turner but Borough lacked a cutting edge and they were undone with six minutes to go.

Smart recklessly dived in on dangerman Green in the penalty area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Hook got a hand to Carpenter's penalty but he could not prevent it from hitting the net.

Boss Wilson said: "We are still in there and fighting. But we know we have to improve and do so quickly."