When your luck is out, it's out. And Wealdstone discovered that the hard way as their nightmare pre-season interloped into the start of the new National League South season yesterday.

A 2-1 defeat at Bath City on Saturday does not tell the whole story, though. The Stones were held up by severe delays on the M25 and M4 and arrived at Twerton Park late, forcing a kick-off delay of 25 minutes.

And after coming from behind to level via Johnny Wright, the visitors were denied a share of the spoils by an 81st-minute Nick McCootie winner for the Romans.

Pre-season has been described by Stones boss Gordon Bartlett as "one of the worst" of his lengthy managerial career and it was a patched-up side which included four debutants which finally pitched up in Bath.

And despite far-from-ideal preparations Bartlett’s makeshift side did an excellent, battling job but, in the final analysis, shot themselves in the foot when two or three clear cut opportunities to score were somehow frittered disappointingly away by their lively forwards.

Debutant Connor Calcutt, Josh Hutchison and Wright all spurned great chances to find the back of the net after they had worked so hard to create them.

Wealdstone were forced to employ a more open 4-4-2 system the tenacious Micky Corcoran having to be moved into a centre-half role after Josh Urquhart was placed on the ever-expanding sick list in midweek.

The list of unavailable players almost stretched to another starting XI. But in adversity debutants Matty Bevans and Ryan Case both impressed. Goalkeeper Alex Lynch was left to wait for a debut after signing on loan from Wycombe Wanderers as Jonathan North had recovered from injury to start.

A bright start from Stones culminated in some counter-attacks and strikes from the busy Elliot Godfrey and then Wright, who should have done better when he skewed wide on six minutes before going agonisingly close again three minutes later.

City were on the back foot but took the lead when the Stones gave away a cheap free-kick on the edge of their own penaltty area. Dave Pratt stole in from a deflection and Wealdstone were behind on 14 minutes totally against the run of play.

Bath’s tails were now up and Stones defenders had their work cut out to keep it at 1-0. A great save by North prevented the Romans from taking a greater foothold as they piled forward with their familiar direct approach, lumping the ball forward at every opportunity.

On 36 minutes Stones won a corner and turmoil in the City penalty created a game of head tennis from which Wright seized on the head beyond the goalkeeper Steve Phillips to make it one apiece.

Stones again started brighter of the two sides in the second period and might have gone in front when Calcutt broke through but his firm strike was held by the experienced Phillips before he was flagged offside.

With their big striker Nick McCootie now on the pitch Bath’s long balls from the back now had a far more effective outlet and the pacey forward was causing ominous problems for the visitors.

The game changing moment came on 58 minutes. The home defence was completely split and Hutchinson raced towards goal to find himself one-on-one with Phillips. But the Bath keeper came out on top, denying Hutchinson a goal on his full Stones debut.

Stones were still coming forward and a teasing cross from Lucien was headed over by Calcutt; another chance gone begging.

By now Bartlett’s ragtag side was showing signs of wilting in the August sun and their energy levels dropped off – particularly in midfield were alarming gaps were appearing.

Ashley Kington blasted over North’s goal as Stones dropped deeper and deeper. Bartlett rung the changes in an attempt to halt his side's retreat, making all three changes.

But with nine minutes left on the clock the dangerous McCootie struck the winner following a good run and the beleaguered visitors were unable to find a route back into the game.

This was no more evident than when Calcutt missed a great chance to immediately equalise but somehow hit the ball down rather than straight, and flashed his effort wide.

Stones get straight back into action on Monday night when they face Concord Rangers at The Vale.

Wealdstone: North; Bevans, Hamblin (c), Corcoran, Case; Wright, Godfrey, Brown, Lucien; Hutchinson, Calcutt.

Subs used: Davies, Hudson-Odoi, Hope.

Subs not used: Lynch (GK), Bonnet-Johnson.

Attendance: 641