WELLINGTON were beaten 3-1 away by Ivybridge Town in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League despite a spirited second-half fightback. The new-look Tangerines, with chairman Mike Hall again in charge of team affairs, produced their best display so far but returned home empty handed following their third loss in the space of eight days.

Wellington made a positive start but needed an early intervention from Connor Noble after ten minutes when he cleared off the line.

Ivybridge broke the deadlock after 21 minutes. A corner was flicked on at the near post and Nick Salop reacted quickest to volley home from close range.

Ivybridge doubled their advantage on 32 minutes with a well-worked move. The ball was switched neatly across the pitch before CJ Pritchard finished confidently past keeper Lewis Layton.

The visitors remained in the contest thanks to another excellent piece of defending from Noble four minutes before the break, clearing from beneath his own crossbar.

Wellington emerged after the interval with renewed purpose and began to ask more questions of the Ivybridge defence. Ben Evett went close on 67 minutes when he fired into the side-netting before Noble headed narrowly over as the visitors searched for a route back into the game.

Their pressure was rewarded 11 minutes from time. Evett’s corner dropped to Connor Pengelly who knocked the ball home first time to reduce the deficit.

A superb flying save from Layton kept his side within touching distance after Ivybridge threatened to restore their two-goal cushion.

But, as Wellington pressed for a late equaliser, they were caught on the break in injury time with Owen Howard sealing the points for Ivybridge.

Wellington: Lewis Layton, Connor Noble, Vince Innis, Connor Pengelly, Nat Hawkins, Reegan Scotcher, Harvey Conroy, Luca Staniforth, Josh Baker, Ollie Ackland, Ben Evett. Substitutes: Ned Ogilvie, Harry Chetland, Daniel Conway (all used).