Jerry Gill’s men had been buoyed by a last-gasp leveller in the 1-1 draw at home to Braintree Town last Tuesday and had high hopes of getting something in Kent.

However, after conceding a fourth-minute penalty there was no way back for the beleaguered Terras.

After two pitch inspections, the second just an hour prior to kick-off, the teams lined up on a pitch more reminiscent of Weymouth beach than a football pitch.

Gill dropped Jordan Vincent to the bench and gave Stephen Reed a start as he adopted a defensive format with Cameron Mawer playing behind the back four and Luke Benbow ploughing a lone furrow up front against a Bromley side that were without a win in 2010.

The match was just four minutes old when Jamie McGuinness was penalised for his challenge on Ashley Carew on the six-yard line. Carew picked himself up and powered home the spot-kick.

Weymouth seemed content to rely on clearing their lines using the long ball and did not really create any problems for the big home defence although one of several McGuinness’ long throws was only half cleared allowing Reed to get a shot in, but his effort was wide.

Bromley went further ahead in the 21st minute when Steve Ferguson outpaced a struggling Martin Slocombe to cross into the Terras’ box and Mawer was forced to clear at the expense of a corner.

Carew took the kick, which was only half cleared and fell nicely to Ryan Hall who laid the ball into the path of Rob Gillman and the home skipper had no problems in slotting home from six yards.

Another McGuinness throw was headed on by Scott Brice to Luke Benbow, but the youngster dragged his attempted bicycle kick wide.

It was another long throw, again helped on by Brice, which resulted in Simon Radcliffe chipping his shot weakly into the arms of Gareth Williams, in the home goal.

Weymouth won their first and only corner in the 40th minute. Reed’s inswinging kick caused problems for Williams, but Hall was on hand to clear off the goal-line. Radcliffe was first to react to the clearance but his shot flew over the crossbar.

The first half finished in some controversy – as far as the visitors were concerned – when a long clearance from Reed allowed Benbow to run at the home defence.

From my vantage point Benbow was floored by Jerrome Sobers as he homed in on goal, but the referee waved play on when it appeared a free-kick and, perhaps a red card was in order.

Bromley were first out of the blocks as the second period started with Warren McBean shooting wide and Sandercombe saving from the same man after he had reacted first when the Terras’ custodian pulled off a superb stop from Carew.

Reed saw his free-kick fly harmlessly wide before Sandercombe was called upon again to save well from Hall’s cross-cum-shot and then he did well to hold an effort from Luke l’Anson.

With Bromley firmly in control Jamie Frampton was on hand to bravely block a shot from Carew before the home side put the result beyond doubt with their third goal in the 63rd minute.

Nathan Davies was left prone after a challenge by l’Anson, but again the officials were not interested in the Terras’ appeals for a foul and the big centre-half rolled the ball through to Richard Butler, leaving him with a clear run before he fired past a helpless Sandercombe.

The fourth goal came in the 70th minute when Carew played a long ball over the heads of the struggling Weymouth defence allowing McBean to collect with plenty of space to work in.

Sandercombe did manage to push the transfer-listed home striker wide of goal, but McBean was not to be denied and slipped the ball home from a tight angle.

Although out of the game Wey-mouth were not ready to throw in the towel and had a great chance to pull a goal back when Reed intercepted a pass from Wes Daly.

His shot from outside the area was charged down and the ball fell to Groves, but he delayed long enough to allow Williams to save at his feet.

Brice was on hand to save the Terras further embarrassment when he produced a terrific block tackle on Phil Ruggles, just as he was preparing to shoot, and then made a great interception to head clear a cross from Hall – again with Ruggles ready to pounce.

Now eight points adrift of safety, with games against the likes of Newport, Chelmsford City and Dover, Weymouth are staring down the barrel of relegation and – without drastic changes and improvements – are almost certainly facing life in the Zamaretto League next season.