In the proverbial game of two halves Wealdstone again came up short, going down 2-1 at home to high-flying Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.

Well-financed Fleet had won all three of their National League South fixtures ahead of their trip to Grosvenor Vale, but were pushed hard by Gordon Bartlett’s Stones in an entertaining encounter.

Huge credit must go to the home side who took the game to a very strong Ebbsfleet side and bossed most of the play in the first period with Bradley Hudson-Odoi showing some great skill down the left flank and posing a big threat throughout.

In fact Stones had the ball in net from a great flowing move on 13 minutes with Hudson-Odoi instrumental, but Josh Hutchinson’s effort was ruled frustratingly, offside.

The away side passed the ball well enough but lacked any real cutting edge and with Stones’ defence standing firm Jon North was untroubled. In a rare shooting opportunity for the visitors Robbie Willmott broke free for United but blasted over.

Eventually Stones’ pressure was rewarded when Hudson-Odoi got free down the middle and was able to loop the ball superbly over keeper Brandon Hall. This was the first goal the away side had conceded in 355 minutes of football and Stones were good value for it at that stage.

The second half was a different affair however and once the Fleet had equalised via the dangerous Jordan Parkes five minutes into the second period, Stones never really regained their rhythm or attacking threat.

Stones were now being out-passed by United’s full-time professionals and struggled to find an outlet; big Jefferson used his strength and power to find some space but couldn’t create shooting opportunities.

On 61 minutes the visitors sealed the win when Danny Kedwell’s looping header beat North to put Ebbsfleet 2-0 up.

Wealdstone did put some late pressure on Ebbsfleet with the best chance for a leveller falling to substitute Shaun Lucien, but his vicious strike flew over.

Bartlett’s side will take their search for a first win of the new season to newly-promoted Sutton United on Saturday.

Wealdstone: North; Bevans, Parker, Hamblin, Urquhart; Ball, Godfrey, Corcoran (Davies 75), Hudson-Odoi (Lucien 75); Louis, Hutchinson (Calcutt 22).

Subs: Gore (GK), Brown.

Attendance: 764.