Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett said in the week he was looking up the National League South table but after losing 3-0 at Eastbourne Borough he will be forced to re-assess that view in the short-term.

Those that travelled to Priory Lane witnessed an insipid display that lacked any kind of cutting edge.

The attack was blunt and the rest of team were equally toothless. More worryingly, for the most part, Wealdstone lacked ideas and appeared to capitulate in a wholly dispiriting first half.

Matters did improve in the second period for Stones who did at least enjoy far greater possession. But the damage had already been done.

There was only one change from Monday’s 1-1 draw at home to Gosport Borough with Johnny Wright replaced by Matt Ball, as expected, after being struck by Gosport keeper Nathan Ashmore on Monday.

Speaking afterwards an angry Bartlett said: “As good as we were on Monday we were the total opposite today and we got exactly what we deserved – nothing.

“We are far too inconsistent and our performance lacked the passion, desire and energy we expect and I personally apologise to the fans that made the journey to support us.

“There seemed an apathy out there which is totally unacceptable at any time but especially in our current position.

“We have now put ourselves in a massive dogfight where everyone needs to dig very deep and show the character and commitment to fight our way out of the mire.

“There are still 57 points up for grabs and it starts on Tuesday at Dartford.” After some Stones procrastination in midfield the Sports took the lead on nine minutes. It was the proverbial knife through butter – unusual for Stones’ usually solid rear-guard – and Nathan Pinney shot home past Sam Howes.

Stones did have two chances of note in the first period.

Bradley Hudson-Odoi went on a good run and his eventual strike from an acute angle flew past the far post before Josh McLeod-Urquhart flashed over from a rare Jefferson Louis header that may have beaten Borough keeper Lewis Carey.

Between those opportunities Eastbourne doubled their lead with an even simpler chance when the Stones defence got themselves in a mess and Kane Haysman tapped home.

The second half was far better for Stones in terms of possession and attacking intent but sadly no better in terms of end product.

The Sports had two chances in the second 45 minutes and scored their third goal from one of them. This time it was the unfortunate Howes who was culpable, failing to stop Jack Evans’ tame strike.

Even veteran Scott McGleish, on as a late substitute, got in the way of a goal-bound strike from Matt Harriott with Carey exposed.

One of those days then for Stones, but relegation fears are now back firmly on the agenda with a four-point gap between Wealdstone and Basingstoke Town in the first relegation spot.

Wealdstone: Howes; McLeod-Urquhart, Cadmore, Hamblin, Smith; Ball (Binns 70), Godfrey (Lucien 61), Harriott, Davies, Hudson-Odoi; Louis (McGleish 60).

Subs: Parker.