Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett felt his side were naive in their game management as they lost 1-0 to Conference South title hopefuls Boreham Wood on Saturday.

A Ricky Shakes goal on the stroke of half-time did the damage, with the goal arriving after the Stones gave away possession from a quick free-kick just before half-time.

Bartlett said: “Our game management was a little bit naive because we took a quick free kick, gave it away and they scored 30 seconds later.

“It is a learning curve and we need to take every lesson we can.

“I am a little bit disappointed because I don’t think there was a great deal in it.”

He continued: “We certainly did not play badly. That is a side playing for the title. It is testament to how far we come since the early part of the season and they are the first team to do the double over us which is not too bad.”

Defender Sean Cronin has joined Grays Athletic on loan after growing frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities, whilst 17-year-old midfield Dean McDonnell has signed first-team forms.

Cronin, 28, joined the Stones in 2010 and has been a stalwart at the heart of the backline since.

However, the former Cardiff City trainee has been left out of the side recently with Tom Hamblin and Wes Parker the preferred central pairing.

“He is very much part of my thinking for next year but it was in the best interests of everyone,” explained Bartlett.

The Stones travel to third-placed Basingstoke Town on Saturday.