Wealdstone may have closed the defensive floodgates which had seen them ship 14 goals in their previous six games, but two points, and two uninspiring performances, have done little to enamour manager Gordon Bartlett.

Last night, the Stones drew 0-0 with relegation-fearing Whitehawk at Grosvenor Vale, in a game where the number of clear-cut chances matched the north London temperature guage, which rarely rose much above freezing.

Lacking top goalscorer Elliot Benyon and midfield playmaker Matt Whichelow does go someway to explaining, if not excusing, a tedious fixture at the Vale, but Ricky Wellard's volley just before the break was - seriously - the once opportunity of note in 90 minutes devoid of quality.

That result followed another draw, a 1-1 home deadlock with Oxford City, on Saturday, where the Stones created more but could not see off their visitors.

Bartlett conceded Monday's insipid stalemate was partly down to an intentional decision to made the Stones more solid, but still labelled their most recent performance - and fourth league game without a win - "frustrating".

"We didn't play particularly well," he said. "It looked like two sides lacking in confidence. There wasn't much quality at either end.

"A few weeks ago, we had the quality, but question marks over the desire. It was a role reversal against Whitehawk.

"We've changed a few personal and formation in an effort to turn the tide and we've stopped leaking goals - but we've got no creativity. We've stopped playing, and it's frustrating."

This newspaper's weekly mention of the distance between Wealdstone and a play-off place is becoming ever more fanciful, with the gap to fifth now standing at 19 points with 15 games remaining.

With the players at the club's disposal, the expected promotion push should have materialised, following a summer of investment at Grosvenor Vale.

But consistent inconsistency has left Bartlett perplexed about where his side have gone wrong.

He said: "We have ability in the camp and we have shown flahses of it during the season, but that lack of consistency is the biggest concern.

"To say we have been inconsistent would be an understatement. It's mathematically possible to get in the top five, but we have got to find some great form somewhere, and we haven't shown that in recent weeks. It's highly unlikely.

"We need to get some performances together and that will bring results, and take us up the table - but at the moment, we don't even have them."