Wealdstone forced National League leaders Torquay into a late fight back, as they earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw, with the hosts only salvaging point with a stoppage-time equaliser at Plainmoor.

Jacob Mendy had the visitors on course for a famous victory down in the South West when he opened the scoring in the 37th minute, but Billy Waters nabbed an equaliser in the dying moments of the match to force the Stones to settle for a point.

It was a sixth league game without a win for the Stones, who had recently parted ways with manager Dean Brennan, but showed improvement, with the previous five matches ending in defeat.

What’s more, they did it against a team who are looking comfortable at the top of the National League table, eight points clear of Hartlepool United in second.

The hosts made nine changes from their last game, which may have affected their team, while Wealdstone’s interim boss Stuart Maynard made four changes to his team, handing a debut to Arsenal loanee Joseph Olowu, while Ashley Charles, Dan Wishart and Jack Cawley also returning to the starting XI.

Wealdstone almost took the lead in bizarre fashion in the 32nd minute when a free-kick from Mendy caught the wind and flew against the crossbar.

The visitors, though, did get themselves ahead five minutes later after Dennon Lewis broke and fed the ball to Mendy, who cut inside to drill a shot past the Seagulls’ goalkeeper, Shaun MacDonald, and into the far corner.

Torquay, beaten by Altrincham in their last league game, pressed for an equaliser in the second half, with Josh Umerah’s effort cleared off the line and midfielder Adam Randell hitting a post late on.

The home side’s pressure finally told in the first minute of stoppage-time when Waters slotted the ball in after Asa Hall’s shot was blocked.