The Seagulls were dealt bitter blow on Tuesday night, being edged out in the dying moments by title-chasing Maidstone United at The Woodspring Stadium.
The Stones took the lead in the first half, Dumebi Dumaka nodding home Alex Flisher’s enormous throw in on 12 minutes.
Weston were flat in the first half, but their play after the break benefited from increased energy and purpose.
The Seagulls had the better of the second period, and were rewarded for their play on 79 minutes when Jason Pope’s volleyed cross was handled in the area. Scott Wilson, a second-half substitute, tucked home the penalty.
A point would have seen Weston claw out for the bottom-three, but Ryan Northmore’s side had eyes for a winner and Wilson was soon through on goal, but a bad bounce cost him a clear sight at the target, unable to bring the awkward ball under his spell.
As the game edged closer to stalemate, Vas Karagiannis sped in behind the Weston back line. Seemingly set to pull the trigger, the striker went to ground. The referee deemed Clayton Fortune had tripped his man, pointing to the spot.
Karagiannis picked himself up and smashed the penalty down the middle, sending Luke Purnell the wrong way as the game ticked into stoppage time.
Weston pushed for a leveller in added time but, despite some pinball in the Maidstone box, they couldn’t unlock the tightest defence in the division.
Weston XI: Purnell, Pope, Llewellyn, Ingram, Keary, Fortune, McClennan, Cane, Varouxakis (Wilson), Plummer, Byrne (Wring).
Substitutes not used: Camper, Edge, Grubb.
Match report written by Sam Frost