When things have been as tough for Wealdstone as they have in pre-season you have to count the victories, however small.

Sure. Tonight the Stones were beaten 2-1 by Concord Rangers in their second National League South fixture of this fledgling season, but there was much to be positive about.

For starters Gordon Bartlett's men were the better of the two sides. The flip side to that is they failed to take their chances and conceded two soft goals.

Carl Martin returned to the side at the heart of defence and stalwart Wes Parker will be back from suspension when the Stones host Eastbourne Borough on Saturday. But Jefferson Louis is still suspended and Tom Hickey, Matt Ball, Tom Cadmore and Dale Binns top a list even Bartlett is struggling to keep track of.

Swings and roundabouts, then.

It was a forgettable opening period and the only presentable chance went the way of the Stones, who saw skipper Tom Hamblin denied a thumping header by a last-ditch clearance on the line by the Beachboys.

Johnny Wright, again employed down the right-hand flank, was next to try his luck with an audacious overhead kick after Concord goalkeeper Conor Gough had made a hash of a punch and then allowed the ball to bounce in the penalty area after returning from orbit.

Josh Hutchinson then went closest of all for Stones, connecting perfectly with a cross from the left but somehow managing to steer his header against the underside of the crossbar before the ball bounced down on the line and away.

A Connor Calcutt delivery from the right aimed for his strike partner really should have resulted in an effort on target at least but Hutchinson, unmarked on the penalty spot, failed to connect.

And nine minutes before the break the visitors made Wealdstone pay for their profligacy.

A good ball out to the left-hand flank found Ben Greenhalgh and his teasing cross was powered in at the near post by the head of Max Cornhill on the run.

That goal stirred the Stones into life and just before half-time they drew level. But not before Shaun Lucien twice drifted inside before letting fly, the second effort pushed against the post and wide.

But the equaliser arrived when a pint-point through ball from Michael Corcoran following good build-up down the left found the run of Godfrey, who slotted past Gough with a first-time finish.

But within a minute of the restart Concord were back in front via the lively Greenhalgh. Out on the right the winger whipped in a cross which deceived everyone and flew past the unsighted North to give the Essex outfit the lead once more.

Greenhalgh might have enhanced the Beachboys' lead soon after when he flashed a 20-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the far post.

Wealdstone continued to push for an equaliser and very nearly found one when Calcutt was slipped in by the impressive Lucien, only to shoot aginst the outside of the near post.

Substitute Scott Davies, still not fully fit, then zipped a shot from 30 yards just wide of the near post as Stones continued to press for the all-important equaliser.

Bartlett's side switched to three at the back towards the end in search of a point and despite the best efforts of the menacing Lucien, were unable to snatch a leveller.

The search for a first win heads continues at The Vale on Saturday with Eastbourne Borough the visitors (kick-off 3pm).

Wealdstone: North; Bevans, Martin, Hamblin (c), Case (Urquhart 78); Wright, Godfrey, Corcoran (Davies 67), Lucien; Calcutt (Hudson-Odoi 67), Hutchinson.

Subs: Lynch (GK), Brown.