WELLINGTON returned from their long weather-enforced lay-off to crash to a 5-1 defeat away to Devizes Town yesterday.

Jamie Ward's side had seen all three of their home games over the Christmas and New Year period called off because of a waterlogged Playing Field pitch.

And they were undoubtedly rusty against their fellow strugglers as they fell behind in the first half and went in at the break trailing 4-0.

Although Scott Holland gave them some hope by making it 4-1 in the second half, it proved too big a mountain to climb and, to make matters worse, Devizes added a fifth goal before the final whistle.

Wellington will be looking to put the result behind them when they entertain Portishead next Saturday with a 3pm kick-off.