There were few punches pulled by Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett as he reflected on a 4-0 mauling by Dartford on Saturday.

The Stones, on the back of seeing off National League Southport in the FA Trophy a fortnight ago, should have been brimming with confidence even against the promotion-chasing Darts.

But despite a bright start, they crumbled the moment Luke Wanadio gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead from the edge of the box.

Wealdstone have looked fragile at times during the season, but Bartlett was left blaming work ethic, rather than self-belief, for the capitulation which would follow.

Ryan Hayes' swerving drive put Dartford in the ascendency before Elliot Bradbrook's third from a corner killed the game as a contest before half-time.

The Stones' misery was compounded when Danny Green and Omar Koroma both contrived to miss penalties after the break, while Andy Pugh's fourth, on the hour mark, made little difference.

Bartlett took the step of questioning his players' desire after the game - ahead of another big game, back in the FA Trophy, against Brackley this weekend.

"There's a saying - the harder you work, the luckier you get - and we didn't work hard enough on Saturday," he said.

"The lads have come off a great win at Southport and the contrast between the two games was enormous.

"I don't feel the pressure, but I'm bitterly disappointed for an awful lot of people. The players let themselves down.

"We've got to take the criticism for the performance on Saturday after the plaudits at Southport. It wasn't acceptable.

"It's not just work ethic but desire to win the ball back. We've played badly before, but you can lose and still credit people for their fight and desire. "

Now 15 points off the play-offs with 16 games to go, any hope of a promotion push looks fanciful for the Grosvenor Vale side.

Bartlett has not given up hope altogether - but admits the odds are stacked against his men, with a trio of league defeats not the ideal ingredients for a late run.

"Before the game we said every team in this league will have a bad run at some point," he said. "We've abused that privilege. We would need one hell of a run to give ourselves a realistic chance.

"I haven't given up just yet, but we've made it harder for ourselves with that performance."