A 300-strong crowd at Ship Lane saw Fleet’s relegation worries deepen as they suffered defeat at the hands of their Somerset visitors.

They were overtaken by Weston and now lie in 18th place. Although currently five points clear of the drop zone, Thurrock face a tough away game at third-placed Hampton & Richmond Borough next weekend and are a long way from being assured of safety.

In a tight affair, goal chances were at a premium in the opening half, but Kenny Beaney went close after the break for the hosts when his free-kick hit the bar and went over with visiting keeper Ryan Northmore beaten.

Northmore did well to block Fola Orilonishe’s effort after the Fleet man had beaten three defenders in a run forward.

Emmanuel Williams shot over in a rare Weston break, but at the other end Northmore saved sensationally when David Bryant’s header from Mark Wright’s pinpoint cross looked certain to break the deadlock.

But it was Weston who took the lead and sealed the points soon after the hour when a rash challenge just outside the box saw Ben Wells crash home the free-kick, giving goalkeeper David Blackmore no chance.

Thurrock pressed for an equaliser, but were unable to create any more clearcut chances as Craig Rand marshalled the visiting defence superbly.

Other results: Basingstoke 0 Bognor Regis Town 0, Braintree Town 1 Eastleigh 1, Dorchester 3 Worcester 1, Fisher Athletic 1 Newport County 3, Havant & Waterlooville 1 Chelmsford 1, Hayes & Yeading 2 Bath City 2, Maidenhead Utd 0 AFC Wimbledon 4, St Albans 4 Bromley 5, Team Bath 0 Hampton & Richmond 2, Welling 1 Bishop’s Stortford 3.