Faint hopes of a Wealdstone play-off push dwindled yet further as they dropped two more valuable league points to Oxford City on Saturday.

Some 20 points now separate Gordon Bartlett's men from fifth place, the final opportunity of a post-season promotion berth, with a run of just one league win since November 5 all but ending their charge.

It could have been slightly different, had the Stones built on a fourth-minute lead at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday - the perfect start surpassed by its source, with Fulham loanee Josh Walker settling any nerves on his debut with an early goal.

Walker, aged 19, had only signed for the club 24 hours previously, and showcased his predatory instinct to turn in the rebound from Eddie Oshodi's deflected shot.

Danny Green could have doubled the advantage before Oxford had even had a chance to get their heads back in order, but he was thwarted by Craig Hill's save.

The bar would next come to City's rescue following a moment of madness, when Hill was penalised for picking up a back-pass from former Stone Scott Davies.

Sam Cox laid the resulting indirect free-kick to David Hunt, whose exquisite chip had the beating of the wall, but not the goal frame.

The half-time interval served as a useful break for Oxford, who re-emerged stronger and with whatever words had been exchanged still ringing in their ears.

Six minutes into the second period, they found an equaliser. Wilson Carvalho, himself hoping to impress his new employers, crossed for once Wealdstone favourite Jefferson Louis, and Kaiman Anderson was Jonny on the spot to turn in the rebound when his effort was parried.

Louis was denied again by Jonathan North minutes later with Oxford threatening to turn the game on its head - soon, though, normal service resumed.

Jonny Wright came agonisingly close to a winner, seeing an effort cleared off the line by Jordy N'Gathe.

In added time, the fine margins which have defined much of Wealdstone's season were perfectly demonstrated as Wright came even closer, denied a last-minute headed winner by only the width of Hill's post.

Wealdstone are back in action tonight, when relegation-troubled Whitehawk visit north London. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Wealdstone: North, Oshodi, Mavila, Hunt, Hamblin, Godfrey, Green, Cox, White, Wellard (Koroma 82), Walker (Wright 65).

Not used: Goulding, McLeod-Urquhart, Brown.