Gordon Bartlett says Wealdstone’s focus remains on staying up, even though the Stones are only three points further away from the play-offs than relegation.

Saturday’s 4-2 home win over Chelmsford City saw the Stones move into 13th place in the Conference South – 11 points shy of the play-offs and eight points clear of the relegation zone.

However the experienced boss still has his sights firmly set on the primary target of avoiding a quick return to the Isthmian Premier Division.

He said: “Let’s be realistic. We have climbed from where we were to where we are now in such a short space of time.

“We now need to make sure we stay out of the reach of the relegation zone.”

The Stones were active in the transfer market this week, signing former Ebbsfleet United midfielder Michael Corcoran and West Ham United winger Nathan Mavila on a month’s loan.

“After last week and the preceding games I thought we just needed to freshen the squad up a little bit,” said Bartlett.

“The players have done very well but we have not kept possession well enough and we just felt we needed a couple of fresh faces.

“It was my intention to get two or three fresh faces this week but we have got two.

“I do not mind saying that I am taking a little bit of a gamble with Nathan “There were times on Saturday where he got in the wrong position defensively a little bit and we need to work on that with him.”

Bartlett continued: “Michael brings a lot of experience and tenacity to the middle of the park. He is a ball winner and a defensive-minded midfielder, which I just felt we lacked.”

And it was Corcoran who opened the scoring, heading home after Scott McGleish had flicked Elliott Godfrey’s corner into his path.

Michael Cheek then levelled for Chelmsford after Jonathan North saved another penalty, before Rob Girdlestone put City in front.

Not to be denied, Wealdstone rallied and drew level when Godfrey flicked home following good work by McGleish.

Sean Cronin then lofted home the third to put the Stones back in front. The Stones round off the win when Matt Ball rifled home from Jefferson Louis’ cut-back.

Wealdstone travel to Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.