WESTBURY lost out in their early-season bottom-of-the-table encounter.

United came into the game with just a single point from their previous eight league matches, while Wellington had lost 10 in a row in all competitions.

Although it was the visitors who ended their own poor run, United gave it their all with Chris McKee in the Wellington goal making a number of saves, several goalbound shots being blocked and the crossbar denying Mark Young.

Beau Blakeman, Matt Mead and Young were all prominent in the opening half as their pace caused all manner of problems for the away side’s defence.

Blakeman burst forward early on and struck a fine shot just wide while Young sent in two excellent crosses from the right wing that eluded everyone in the box.

Matt Mead, coming in from the left wing, had a few fine shots well saved by McKee.

Wellington came more into the game as the half drew to a close with David Whyte making a strong tackle to stop Ian Machattie in his tracks and Ben Martin tried his luck from outside the penalty area but saw his effort go wide.

With the pressure growing, Paul Pocock set up the unmarked Dale Webber who forced Alex Shaftoe into a fine tip over save.

The only goal of the game came on 39 minutes after Webber played in Pocock and Shaftoe made an even better save.

Machattie’s initial corner was cleared for another flag kick, he sent in another which led to a goalmouth scramble and Pocock got the final touch.

Play got off to a slow start after the break but Westbury began to pour forward in numbers after the hour mark.

Cox dallied when in space at the edge of the box and Blakeman sent a 25 yarder a few feet wide before McKee and his defence did all they could to deny the home team an equaliser.

Firstly, the keeper saved Matt Mead’s low free kick but in the next attack the United player was wasteful when set up by Simon Millard.

In the final 10 minutes Westbury did everything but score.

Blakeman took a corner that led to Millard, Matt Mead and Gary Tugwell all having efforts blocked and, as the ball was only half cleared, a foul was committed.

Young took the free kick and saw the ball crash against the crossbar and rebound to safety.

Another Blakeman corner found Mark Pearce and he headed it on to Nick Mead but he had a fierce effort blocked.

The final chance also fell to Nick Mead, this time Young took a flag kick and, just as a goal looked certain, McKee pulled off a great save.

Westbury: Alex Shaftoe, David Whyte, Tom Whyte, Nick Mead, Mark Pearce, Gary Tugwell, Mark Young, Beau Blakeman, Simon Millard, Dan Cox, Matt Mead.

Subs: Neil Grant (used), Adam Bishop, Adi Chantry (unused).

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