REACTION: "It's Very Encouraging" - Waddock's Great Pride In Dale Display

NOT one to hand out praise lightly, Wealdstone manager Gary Waddock felt his players deserved the utmost credit after pushing Enterprise National League title hopefuls Rochdale all the way on Saturday evening.

A scoreline which might read like a routine 2-1 win for the high-flying hosts belies just how well Stones went about their business - including taking a deserved lead only to be pegged back and, ultimately, defeated with a late Dale winner.

"We should be really proud of how we played today," said Waddock. 

"To take on this team (Rochdale) and go toe-to-toe with them, it's very encouraging.

"On the balance of play, I feel we should have got a result of some kind, and that would have been deserved.

"The goals [we conceded] are disappointing, of course, but aside from those the players stuck to the game-plan and it worked," he added, referencing Wealdstone's comfort in possession for long periods of the match at The Crown Oil Arena.

"We went with a box midfield to give us four in the middle and outnumber them. We knew how they would play and we wanted to match them up.

"We wanted to get a result here and we came close to doing it so we're bitterly disappointed. But we take great pride in our display and it's really pleasing to see us perform to that level.

"I said to the players after the game that our season's far from over and we need good momentum. By taking on this big challenge today and standing up to it, I feel we've done ourselves a power of good."

Waddock praised the contributions of the whole squad who were involved on the day but, after his recent return from injury, that didn't include defender Mason Barrett. However it doesn't appear that's a cause for major concern.

"He picked up a minor knock in training," explained the Stones' boss.

"We didn't want to risk him with this one but we'll see how he is with a view to including him on Tuesday if we can."

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BOSTON THIS TUESDAY: Support By Screaming Or Streaming

IT'D be great to get a decent crowd for Stones' final midweek game of the season; at home to fellow mid-tablers Boston United this Tuesday, April 14 (7.45pm ko).

Making it to The Vale is always the best way of backing Gary Waddock's boys, screaming and shouting your support from the stands for those Wembley-bound Wealdstone.

But we understand midweek games can be tough logistically, especially if you're a long way from Ruislip.

So a £14.99 DAZN streaming pass will get you online TV access to both the Pilgrims' clash and also the season's last league game away at FA Trophy Final opponents Southend United - due to it being a 12.30pm kick-off.

If you're going to sign up, please do by clicking dazn.com/wealdstone as the club receives a small commission for registering via this route.

A reminder that, for EPL & EFL Season Ticket holders, Stones offer a £5 discount on match ticket prices.

Click HERE to buy online before matchday for the best possible admission deal.