Wealdstone earned a creditable 1-1 draw with fourth-placed Chelmsford City on Saturday, but the two dropped points may have damaged their own promotion hopes with eight games to go.

Coming into the game on the back of a six-game winning run, the Stones knew they were facing their toughest test to date and fell behind to a third-minute strike from Louie Theophanous, who slotted into the far corner after shaking off the home defence.

Ex-St Albans man Theophanous nearly added a second inside 10 minutes, but nodded Josh Hill's cross over the bar from close range.

Ricky Wellard fired in Wealdstone's first shot of the game midway through the first half, forcing a good save from Ross Fitzsimons, who also denied Joe White from the follow-up.

Jonathan North kept the Stones in it with a flying stop to keep out Mark Haines' bullet header, tipping the ball onto the crossbar before Wellard cleared.

After the break White levelled up with a fourth goal in five games after the interval from the spot, with referee Rob Massey-Ellis pointing to the spot when Hill handballed Ricky Wellard's goal-bound effort.

North kept the scores level when Chelmsford substitute - and top scorer - Shaun Jeffers' shot was deflected to Theophanous, but a strong hand from the Stones keeper diverted the ball clear.

Gordon Bartlett's men are still seven points from the play-offs with eight games to go, ahead of tonight's home game at home to Concord Rangers.

Wealdstone: North, Parker, Brown (Wright 45), Sellers, Hamblin, Godfrey, Green, Cox, White (Benyon 84), Wellard, Tajbakhsh.

Not used: Whichelow, Mavila, McGleish.