Welling United lost 3-1 at home to Grays Athletic in the Setanta Shield Fourth Round on Tuesday evening. A hat-trick from Scott Taylor secured Grays' passage into the next round but the Wings can be happy with their performance after giving the Blue Square Premier side a tough match. Richard Carpenter scored Welling's only goal from the spot on 21 minutes.

It was the homeside that started the brightest and had two good early opportunities to take the lead. The first chance came after just two minutes when Richard Carpenter fired a shot from distance just over. The second saw Omari Coleman pounce on a careless backpass before setting up the unmarked Sam Keevill but the midfielder’s shot was blocked.

Nevertheless, it was Grays that would take a 13th minute lead. Scott Taylor drilled a low strike past Jamie Turner into the bottom right hand corner. However, Welling battled back and got a deserved equaliser 8 minutes later. Ernie Cooksey handled inside the area and Carpenter stepped up to end the Wings penalty jinx to score his first for the club.

The Wings may have taken the lead just before the break when Orlando Smith had a shot flash just wide of the post.

After the interval and Grays were far more organised than in the first period. Their improvement made a real difference and just 7 minutes after the restart they retook the lead. Taylor hit a fierce low volley past Turner to make it 2-1.

Taylor completed his hat trick on 82 minutes when the striker bundled home a low cross. Sam Keevill nearly scored his second goal of the season minutes before the end but the midfielder could only manage to rattle the crossbar with a stunning strike.

Next up Welling welcome Cambridge City in Blue Square South action at Park View Road on Saturday.

Come on you Wings!