MANAGER Mark Carter was unimpressed by his St Blazey side as they fell to their third defeat in four games with the club’s survival hopes in the Western League still in the balance.

Carter said: “Yesterday was a bad day at the office for us all. We managed to defend the slope in the first half and hit the break at 0-0.

“The second half was then massive for us and our season. We started that half slow and were second to every ball. When we had possession we didn’t look after it and gave it back to Wellington too often.

“Our positional shape was all over the place and going forward we were lazy and uninventive. In a game that we described as a cup final, we got what we deserved.”

He went on: “We looked and played like a team going down and must own our poor performance. This is something we haven’t seen from the group over the recent games.

“We now need a massive reaction from the group heading into the Easter weekend. We can’t keep relying on Ilfracombe to keep slipping up to keep us in the division.”

After a goalless first half, the Green and Blacks conceded two goals in six minutes early in the second half as Mark Cornish (53 minutes) and Jacob Shore (59) put the home side in control.

Things might have turned out differently had a 39th minute George Newton effort been given. Tom Hensman broke free and squared the ball to Newton, who tapped into an empty net. After a delay, the assistant referee’s flag was raised and after deliberation the goal ruled out for offside.

Wellington were put under the cosh by Blazey in the opening 10 minutes, but they held firm and then took control of the first half without being able to make the breakthrough.

Wellington continued to press after the break and eventually took the lead after 53 minutes through Cornish.

Playing his first game back after being out since January with a knee injury, the popular defender headed home at the far post from Sam Towler’s corner.

Another Towler corner led to Wellington’s second goal six minutes later. This time, the ball dropped at the feet of young defender Shore and he coolly turned it over the line.

St Blazey stepped up a gear to try to get back into the game but the hosts defended well and keeper Jack McAndrews was never forced into serious action.

St Blazey’s search for survival points move on to Good Friday with the short journey to neighbours St Austell (11am).

They are two points ahead of Ilfracombe having played a game less. The North Devon side finish their season away to Barnstaple on Good Friday and at home to Buckland on Easter Monday.

WELLINGTON: Jack McAndrews, Mark Cornish (Harry Scott, 69), Nathan Byrne, Jacob Shore, Tom Stone, Glen Wright, Mark Quick, Sam Towler, Jake Quick (Wes Poulsom, 89), Josh Lukins (Charlie Wood, 90+6), Phil Mendonca. Sub not used: Sam Sheldrake.

ST BLAZEY: Kyle Moore, Will Tinsley (capt), Mark Wilson, Charlie Hambly, Tom Cavanagh, Jordan Bentley, Tom Hensman, Tom Strike, Jacob Rowe, Hayden Black, George Newton. Subs: Brad Rowe, Noah Maund, Charlie Menear, Zeph Grigg.