Wealdstone put further distance between themselves and the Conference South relegation zone by beating Hayes & Yeading United 2-0 on Sunday, extending their unbeaten league run to 11 matches.

Stones boss Gordon Bartlett admitted after Monday’s Middlesex Senior Cup defeat against Phil Babb’s side that if he could choose to lose one of the two games it would have been the cup clash.

And Bartlett got his wish as goals from Matt Ball and Jefferson Louis carried the Stones to victory at Grosvenor Vale, building a 12-point gap between the Stones and the drop zone.

It took until just before the half-hour mark for Wealdstone to test Hayes & Yeading goalkeeper Calum Kitscha; Watford loanee Luke O’Nien letting fly.

Two minutes later the Stones ought to have gone in front when Louis’ clever touch helped the ball into the bath of Ball but the midfielder hesitated, allowing Kitscha to race off his line and block.

Debutant Scott Davies, O’Nien and Richard Jolly all saw efforts go wide of the Hayes & Yeading goal as the hosts pushed for the opener.

Harrow Times: The Stones embrace after Jefferson Louis (9) scored the second. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FCThe Stones embrace after Jefferson Louis (9) scored the second. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FC

But Wealdstone’s dominance told just 30 seconds after the restart. An effort from Louis was only half cleared allowing the veteran to bring a good save out of Kitscha. The goalkeeper’s parry took the ball into the path of Ball, who nodded home.

At the other end, Stones goalkeeper Jonathan North had to be alert to keep out Gary McDonald’s free-kick – the visitors’ first attempt on target.

Ten minutes into second period, the Stones doubled up. Ball turned provider for Louis, who received the midfielder’s pas, cut inside his marker and curled beyond Kitscha to register his first league goal for the club.

The former Hendon striker was injured in the process though, putting a slight dampener on an otherwise satisfying afternoon’s work for the Stones.

Hayes substitutes Mason Spence and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe both went close, but the points were safe.

Wealdstone: North; Martin (Hammond 59), Parker, Cronin, Watts; Davies, Corcoran, Ball, O’Nien; Louis (McGleish 59), Jolly (Mavila 70).

Subs not used: Godfrey, Lucien.

Attendance: 796