Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett says he is starting to feel sorry for his players after their 2-1 defeat at Boreham Wood but insists the Stones are good enough to avoid relegation from the Conference South.

Barlett’s side led at Meadow Park, thanks to Johnny Wright’s first half goal, until the 87th minute.

Their good work was then completely undone.

Wood equalised via Lee Angol and the hosts grabbed all three points in stoppage time as midfielder Sam Cox curled home a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The defeat leaves the Stones 19th in the table - although the two sides below them, Weston-Super-Mare and Staines Town, have three and two games in hand respectively.

“Conceding late goals is becoming the story of our season,” Bartlett said.

“In our last three league games we have conceded late goals and that has cost us vital points.

“Those games have been against second placed Basingstoke Town, Maidenhead United who are seventh and Boreham Wood who are top of the table.

“So we are matching the top teams but we have been punished in games for individual errors and losses of concentration.

“As a manager you can feel sorry for yourself but I am starting to feel sorry for the players as they are putting in the effort during matches.”

Wealdstone do not have a game this weekend and are next in action on Monday when they travel to Chelmsford City, who have lost just one of their last six league matches.

While many managers bemoan busy fixture schedules, Bartlett is frustrated with the lack of games.

He feels his players are not playing regularly enough and many of his first team squad featured in the mid-week reserve match against St Albans City.

He explained: “Last season we were playing almost every three or four days.

“That helped us gain momentum in the league and we obviously won the title.

“This season, because we have gone out of cup competitions, we may end up playing a dozen fewer games and that is a huge number.

“We are not a million miles off picking up results though and I am confident that, once we do that, we will remain in this division.”

The Stones have confirmed Jack Mills, who can play in defence or midfield, has been released by the club.

“He wants to play matches and I can’t guarantee that here,” Bartlett said. “He has made the decision to go and that is fine with me.

“I need people that are going to dig deep and fight for their place in the squad and side.”

The Stones were without Luke O’Nien, who is on loan from Championship club Watford, at the weekend due to an Achilles injury.

Bartlett says the midfielder should be available for the trip to Chelmsford next Monday and has been impressed with the 19-year-old’s attitude and determination.

The Stones boss said: “You can’t fault Luke’s enthusiasm, he lives and breathes it.

“He works so hard and has to be dragged off the training pitch.

“What is difficult for Luke is that he is so versatile, that means he isn’t reguarly playing in one position.

“I think that will need to happen for him to develop as a professional because there is no faulting his determination and attitude.”