Wealdstone lost a National League South game for the first time since January 7 on Tuesday night as Chelmsford City left The Vale with a 1-0 win.

Tom Knowles scored the only goal of the game less than a minute into the second half to secure victory for Robbie Simpson’s side, who finished with 10 men after Joseph Chidyausiku was shown a second yellow card.

Dean Brennan named an unchanged side to the one that had beaten Dorking Wanderers 3-1 at the weekend.

Wealdstone thought they had opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Connor Smith clipped a cross to the back post for Dennon Lewis, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Clarets goalkeeper Laurie Walker in the build-up.

Lewis came close to breaking the deadlock again 11 minutes later, but his curling effort towards the bottom corner was tipped aside by Walker.

MK Dons loanee Walker was being kept bust by the home side and he denied them the lead again before the break, parrying away Danny Green’s effort after he had met Lewis’ cut-back from the byline.

Although the game was goalless at the break, it took Chelmsford less than a minute of the second half to edge in front as Knowles powered his way through the home defence before neatly chipping over Aston Oxborough.

Jacob Mendy looked to draw Wealdstone level as the half wore on, but his powerful effort from the edge of the area whistled narrowly wide of the post.

New signing Kreshnic Krasniqi, who joined from Concord Rangers yesterday, was brought on for his debut with seven minutes remaining, but he was unable to inspire a change in scoreline and Chelmsford hung on to take the point, despite finishing a man down after Chidyausiku was dismissed in stoppage time.

The Stones remain top of the league despite the defeat and will have the chance to pull further away from second-placed Bath City this weekend when they travel to play-off hopefuls Dartford.