Welwyn Garden City's play-off hopes took another hit after a second successive defeat - although this one at Stotfold was a tough one to take.

The 3-1 loss, their second in a row following Thursday night's defeat against leaders Biggleswade Town, leaves the Citizens sixth in the standings, five points behind the Southern League Division One Central play-off chase with three games to go.

But they were hit by two goals in stoppage time at New Roker Park when a deserved point seemed to be coming their way.

To add insult to injury, it was two former WGC men who supplied the assists for the two late efforts, Lewis Franklin and Matt Ball setting up Alex Coppin and Kade Bagge.

And yet it was WGC who might have won it five minutes from the end of regular time, Cyrus Babaie driving a fine ball from Brad Wadkins inches past the post.

WGC also had the ball in the Stotfold net early in the second-half.

Dernell Wynter’s free-kick was blocked and rebounded to Wadkins, who slid it in only to turn and see the flag raised for offside.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Cyrus Babaie can't turn the ball in on the stretch for WGC at Stotfold. Picture: LINDA BABAIECyrus Babaie can't turn the ball in on the stretch for WGC at Stotfold. Picture: LINDA BABAIE (Image: Linda Babaie)

Ultimately fatigue seems to be Welwyn's biggest enemy, this being their sixth game in 12 days.

To that end, manager Marc Weatherstone changed the keeper and his two full-backs from the loss to the Waders, bringing in Donnabhan Green, James Mulley and Ryan Kirwan.

And they made a strong start to this game and Wynter was off target with a sixth-minute volley.

Franklin then had to clear away from an unguarded goal as Wynter closed in and when Wadkins was beaten to a ball forward by the head of home keeper Liam Gooch, Lynton Goss steered the rebound just wide of the open goal.

But WGC were struck a blow, when they lost the experience of Mulley on 25 minutes with a hamstring strain, losing the momentum in the process.

Stotfold’s Mitchell Gooch put a good chance wide moments later from a Franklin cross but the visitors somehow found themselves in front just before half-time with a freak goal.

Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo tried to find Babaie with a through ball only for a third ex-WGC player, Conor Clarke, to get a touch.

However, the breeze got hold of it and keeper Gooch completely missed it, leaving the ball to roll tamely over the line.

The Citizens opened the second-half with a powerful Babaie header that whistled just past the post before Stotfold were on terms, Yasin Boodhoo fouling Henry Snee on the edge of the area but also inside it according to the referee.

Snee took the penalty and scored for 1-1.

The remaining 42 minutes of regular time saw chances for both sides despite the spoiling wind.

In addition to Wadkins’ disallowed goal, WGC were denied by a double save by Gooch, Babaie and Wynter the men denied, and the former then put one over after a Jack Vasey free-kick brought a scramble in front of goal.

Welwyn go to Bedford Town on Tuesday before their final home game against Aylesbury United.

They finish the regular season away to Cirencester Town.

WGC: Green, Mulley (Vasey 25), Boodhoo, Harris, Kirwan, McDonald, Soulya-Osekanongo, Wadkins, Wynter (Jones 73), Goss, Babaie.

Subs (not used): Steel, Bryant, Yeboah.