Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett has pointed to performances rather than results in the tough early weeks of the season, but after the Stones lost 5-2 on Sutton United's plastic pitch there was a paucity of reasons for optimism.

Following last week’s battling 2-1 defeat at home to highly-flying Ebbsfleet United, hopes were high that Wealdstone could pull off a result on Gander Green Lane's newly-installed artificial surface.

But those hopes were dashed as the Stones found themselves 3-0 down after 26 minutes and 4-1 down by half-time.

It took only four minutes, during an awful first half when the defence appeared in inexplicably static, for the U's to go in front.

The Stones now have a single point from six games but still remain third from bottom after Saturday’s National League South programme.

Former Watford youngster Jamie Collins opened the scoring for the home side in the fourth minute before Dan Fitchett and Micky Spillane enhanced the hosts' advantage and took the game beyond the Stones.

Beleaguered Wealdstone pulled one back after good pressure from Jefferson Louis forced Sutton defender Dan Spence to put through his own net just after the half-hour mark.

That good work was soon undone, though, as six minutes later Craig Dundas added a fourth for Paul Doswell's men.

A creditable rally in the second half saw the Stones carve out several excellent chances but ultimately the damage had already been done and the mountain facing the visitors was too steep to climb.

Bradley Hudson-Odoi tapped home after four minutes of the second half when he met a good cross from returning left-back Ryan Watts but his strike was not enough to inspire an unlikely comeback for the visitors.

Harrow Times: Bradley Hudson-Odoi pulls back a second for Wealdstone. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FCBradley Hudson-Odoi pulls back a second for Wealdstone. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FC

The Stones had five good chances in the second period and the failure to find the net is now probably Bartlett’s biggest headache. But it is without doubt not his only conundrum following what was his most challenging of pre-seasons.

Dundas rounded off a miserable afternoon a minute from time to compound Wealdstone's misery.

A further concern during a forgettable afternoon was the loss to injury of key centre-half Tom Hamblin after just 33 minutes.

Scant consolation for Bartlett comes in the fact he now almost has a full squad to choose from with only Tom Cadmore and Dale Binns sidelined.

Harrow Times: A glum Gordon Bartlett trudges off. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FCA glum Gordon Bartlett trudges off. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FC

Carl Martin’s lack of availability is also a concern and Stones undoubtedly miss the former Crewe Alexandra man’s experience at the back.

Next up is a visit from Bishop's Stortford to the Vale on Bank Holiday Monday.

Wealdstone: Gore; Urquhart, Parker, Hamblin (Bevans 33), Watts; Davies, Ball, Corcoran (Lucien 73), Hudson-Odoi; Louis (Hutchinson 74), Wright.

Subs: Calcutt, Brown.