Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett has admitted his side are still in pre-season mode due to the number of obstacles they have faced this summer but has taken heart from the Stones’ performances.

Their luck was once again out on Saturday as Wycombe Wanderers loanee Alex Lynch was recalled by the Blues on Friday due to their own goalkeeper injury problems. Jon North was then sent off for the Stones at Eastbourne Borough meaning midfielder Matt Ball donned the gloves for 55 minutes.

It was not until the third minute of extra time that the former Norwich City youngster was beaten either, as Nathaniel Pinney struck a cruel blow by settling the contest in the visitors’ favour.

But on Tuesday the Stones picked up a creditable first point of the season at big-spending Margate with a goalless draw.

Reflecting on a challenging start to the season, Bartlett said: “There have been so many obstacles thrown our way we are still in pre-season mode; trying different things out.

“We are still trying little things and it is very much a learning curve and a case of trying to get the right balance.”

He continued: “You have got to look a performances rather than results; you have got to look at the character of the group and we are in a better position than last year. The disappointing thing is we have lost to three teams I don’t expect to be up there at the end of the season.”

But Bartlett insists the players are refusing to beat themselves up over a winless start to the campaign. After all, they went nine games without winning in their first campaign in the Conference South.

“I think it is a sign of the group that they are not feeling sorry for themselves and evident at Margate,” explained Bartlett.

“If you look at the results they are disappointing. But the performances are encouraging.”

Bartlett will now seek a replacement for North between the sticks and says he has three or four potential keepers “on the go” ahead of Saturday’s visit from Ebbsfleet United.