Stones boss frustrated despite drawing with leaders Whitehawk (From Harrow Times)

Wealdstone boss frustrated despite earning draw at league leaders Whitehawk

5:17pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport By Simon Mail

Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett admitted he was slightly disappointed to come away with a point at league leaders Whitehawk.

The Stones fought back from a goal behind to earn a 1-1 draw which kept them seven points behind the title favourites in second place.

But the Wealdstone boss felt their second-half dominance was such that they could have come away with the win over their rivals.

Bartlett said: “There are two ways of looking at it because you could say we were 1-0 down at the leaders at half-time.

“But the way the second half went with us dominating it we came away a bit frustrated.”

The hosts took the lead after 25 minutes when a goalmouth scramble enabled Hakeem Araba to net from close range.

Wealdstone improved significantly after the restart and were well worth their 75th minute equaliser. Alex Dyer cut inside from the left and fired a 20-yard strike into the corner of the net.

The Stones were reduced to ten men when Chris Moore was sent off for a lunge but the home side also had Mark Knee dismissed shortly afterwards.

Bartlett said: “When you have a side top of the league that plays with one up front at home then I think that shows the level of respect they have for us.

“They were seven points clear so instead of going for the jugular they played the safety job to protect their lead.

“I felt they edged it in the first half but in the second period we were comfortably the better team and were camped in the half.”

Wealdstone have another pivotal game in the Ryman Premier Division on Saturday when they host third-placed Concord Rangers.

Bartlett, whose side travel to Thurrock tonight, said: “It’s a very important weekend with Concord in our sights behind us and with a game in hand.

“I’ve watched them twice and I was really impressed with their work ethic and they keep grinding out results so they’re right within our sights.

“If we want to have a chance this season then these are the games we need to win.

“With 11 games to go every match is massive and the closer we get to the end the bigger they will get.”