Wealdstone striker Jefferson Louis’ gilt-edged miss proved the turning point as the Stones exited the Middlesex Senior Cup 2-1 at the hands of Hayes & Yeading United.

With the goal gaping after West Ham United loanee Nathan Mavila saw his thumping drive pushed against the crossbar, the experienced striker – who had opened the scoring with a well-taken chance – somehow contrived to plant his follow-up wide of an open goal from a matter of yards.

It was the kind of miss that would be on every Christmas ‘Football Bloopers’ compilation until the end of time had it been at a higher level, but as it is the striker’s ignominy will be restricted to the few hundred in attendance at Grosvenor Vale.

Phil Babb’s side then scored twice in quick succession to turn the tie on its head and seal their place in the fourth round at the expense of the Stones.

Wealdstone had the better of the first half and ought to have been in front after ten minutes when Louis spun and laid the ball off to the advancing Shaun Lucien but the winger could not beating visiting goalkeeper Callum Kitcha with a firm strike.

Richard Jolly then raced onto a through ball, rounded Kitcha and sat up a cross for Matt Ball, who failed to force the ball over the line on the run.

Luke O’Nien was next to go close for Gordon Bartlett’s men, dancing into the penalty area but failing to pull the trigger when well placed.

Louis looked to have broken the deadlock before the break when he headed in a right-wing cross but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Seconds earlier Mavila had been penalised for a shirt pull after seeing off the last defender and steadying himself to pull the trigger.

Six minutes after the re-start, former Hendon striker Louis did find the back of the net. Released down the right, he held off the attentions of his marker before drilling a low, right-footed effort across the Kitcha and into the far corner.

Hayes finally carved out a couple of chances of their own but the under-worked Jonathan North had not been unduly troubled between the sticks until that point.

From one such chance, Wealdstone broke and Mavila cut inside from the left before seeing his strike tipped against the crossbar. The ball fell kindly to Louis at the far post but the striker could only side foot wide from a matter of yards.

The Stones were made to pay for the miss four minutes later when the visitors drew level. A cross from the right was allowed to find Rhys Murrell-Williamson in space and the Hayes defeder expertly drilled low past North from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Three minutes later Hayes were in front. Murrell-Williams’ cross was knocked down by Nicholas Bignall and Elliott Benyon was on hand to fire beyond North from six yards.

Luke Williams looked to add a third for the visitors with a half volley which North fielded well, whilst Lucien’s wicked cross was not turned home by either of the Wealdstone players lurking in the penalty area.

In the end the Stones struggled to create chances as freely as they had in the first half and were unable to force extra time.

Wealdstone: North; Martin, Cronin (c), Hamblin (Godfrey), Watts; Lucien, O’Nien, Ball, Mavila; Louis (McGleish), Jolly.

Subs not used: Corcoran, Gokman, Malone (GK).