WELLINGTON provided a battling display before going down 3-0 at home to second-placed Clevedon Town in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League on Wednesday night.

Playing their first game since the appointment of a new management quartet, bottom club Wellington gave their best display of the season so far.

Although it ended in another defeat, new boss Joe Conway and his team will take plenty of positives as they faced one of the favourites for promotion. Clevedon also had a new man in charge – ex-Bristol Rovers striker Jamie Cureton.

Wellington keeper Charlie Hawkings was called into action after seven minutes, getting down well to keep out a free kick.

The home side held firm until the 20th minute when Clevedon went ahead. Hawkings did well to parry another free kick but Laurent Davis-Wilson reacted quickest to lift the rebound over the keeper.

Wellington suffered a blow when striker Alfie Barratt, their scorer on Saturday, limped off to be replaced by U18s skipper Elijah Hiller.

Clevedon doubled their advantage after 29 minutes in controversial fashion. The visitors were awarded a penalty despite Wellington protests and Nick McCootie tucked away the spot-kick.

Hawkings, who had a fine game, produced a superb flying save ten minutes after the restart as Clevedon went in search of a third.

They threatened themselves with 12 minutes remaining as Ben Evett tried his luck from long range and forced Clevedon keeper James Dunn into action.

However, any hopes of a late fightback were ended two minutes later when a wayward back-pass presented Jacob Sloggett with the opportunity to score Clevedon’s third goal.

The Tangerines play at Liskeard on Saturday.

Wellington: Charlie Hawkings, Harry Chetland, Connor Pengelly, Tom Hawkings, Jack Lewis, Lewis Oaten, Max Edgecombe, Sam Poole, Ben Evett, Josh Baker, Alfie Barratt. Substitutes: Elijah Hiller, Luke Perry, Isaac Baker, Aaron Hawkings (all used). Attendance: 98.