REPORT: Wealdstone 1-1 Scunthorpe Utd

In their final home match of the season, Wealdstone shared the spoils with fifth placed Scunthorpe United, playing out a 1-1 draw at The Vale.

Jack Wells-Morrison’s second-half goal looked like notching a win for the Stones over their playoff counterparts, but substitute Declan Howe equalised for the Iron at the death.

Gary Waddock made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Boston United midweek. Connor McAvoy, Jack Hinchy, Dylan Kadji and Micah Obiero all returned to the starting line-up for the Stones.

The visitors crafted their first chance in the 11^th minute of play as Danny Whitehall spread the ball to Callum Roberts, who drew a solid save from Dante Baptiste.

Both managers were forced into early changes as injured skippers Jack Cook and Roberts were replaced by Charlie Waller and Howe respectively.

The Stones then tested the keeper in the 17^th minute when stand-in captain Deon Woodman chipped the ball into Sean Adarkwa for a one-on-one with Louis Jones, but the Iron’s shot-stopper denied the striker with a fine save.

Wealdstone then began to dictate the rhythm of play through passages of fluid passing, with Micah Obiero and Anthony Georgiou both creating half-chances that had to be thwarted by Scunthorpe United’s backline.

Despite this, the Iron had an opportunity to score when Tyler Denton slotted Oli Ewing through on goal in the 39^thminute, but Woodman produced a last-ditch tackle to snuff out the danger.

Two minutes before the stroke of half-time, Baptiste was called into action as Pat Jones surged forward and unleashed a fierce strike from range that drew a smart save from the Stones’ custodian.

However, it was Waddock’s side that looked like going into the break one to the good; Adarkwa lofted the ball over Jones from outside the box, with the effort landing just wide of the target.

Andy Butler’s side started the second-half on the front-foot as defender Jean Belehouan turned on the edge of the box and fired a venomous strike that had to be beaten away by Baptiste.

The Iron continued in the ascendancy and came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 59^th minute when Howe’s shot from an acute angle whistled inches past the far post.

As the second-half progressed, the game opened up and end-to-end action ensued, with both sides probing for an opening goal.

The Stones drew first blood, breaking the deadlock in the 71^st minute as Wells-Morrison latched onto Georgiou’s pass and thundered the ball home past Jones for his first goal for the club.

With 11 minutes remaining, the Iron pressed for an equaliser and they were nearly fruitful in the 79^th minute as Whitehall’s effort had to be heroically saved by Baptiste to preserve the scoreline.

As Wealdstone looked destined to secure all three points, Whitehall nudged his defender off of the ball and unselfishly slotted to Howe to level from close range in the 89^th minute.

The Stones return to action next Saturday 25^th April in their last league match of the season as they travel to Roots Hall to face Southend United in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Cook (Waller 7), Woodman, McAvoy, Adu-Poku, Kadji, Hinchy (Agyemang 77), Wells-Morrison, Georgiou, Obiero (Nathaniel-George 77), Adarkwa (Olomola 69).

Subs not used: Johnson, Tiensia.