Hastings slump to away defeat

The U’s, who had picked up seven points out of 12 in four successive Ryman Premier matches against top seven opposition, fell behind inside seven minutes.

Bradley Goldberg levelled things up four minutes into the second half after latching onto a through ball.

Jack Dixon went close to firing the visitors in front with a 35-yarder which was tipped over by the goalkeeper, but it Wingate who finished the stronger with further goals on 55 and 75 minutes.

This defeat meant Hastings slipped a place to 18th in the standings after being leapfrogged by Harrow Borough who won 2-1 at home to Metropolitan Police.

In other matches involving teams at the foot of the table, third-from-bottom Tooting & Mitcham United lost 1-0 at East Thurrock United and Leatherhead, who occupy the fourth and final relegation spot, were beaten 2-0 at home to leaders Billericay Town. Aveley and Horsham also tasted defeat.

Hastings will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Tooting at The Pilot Field on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Ryman Premier standings (played-points): Billericay Town 34-70, AFC Hornchurch 34-66, Lowestoft Town 33-63, Bury Town 33-60, Cray Wanderers 33-58, Hendon 34-56, Lewes 34-54, Canvey Island 34-53, Kingstonian 34-52, Metropolitan Police 32-51, Concord Rangers 34-50, Wealdstone 30-48, Margate 33-46, East Thurrock 31-43, Wingate & Finchley 34-43, Carshalton Athletic 34-40, Harrow Borough 34-37, HASTINGS UTD 33-37, Leatherhead 34-31, Tooting & Mitcham Utd 33-26, Aveley 34-22, Horsham 35-15.