REPORT: Wealdstone 1-3 Harrogate Town

Wealdstone were defeated 3-1 by high-flying Harrogate Town at The Vale, leaving the Stones 19^th in the National League table and in search of their first win.

Gary Waddock named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that drew 2-2 with Fylde last Saturday at Mill Farm.

Brad Dolaghan gave the Sulphurites the lead, with Micah Obiero drawing the Stones level before half-time, but second-half goals from Lewis Payne and Shawn McCoulsky sealed a second successive victory for the visitors.

The Stones should have been one to the good in the seventh minute when Obiero chested the ball down in the area, but the striker blazed his shot over the crossbar.

Moments later, Wealdstone had another bite of the cherry; Joe Newton chipped Mark Oxley from range, only to be denied by the woodwork, with the linesman also flagging for offside.

The Sulphurites then looked like drawing first blood in the 18^th minute, but skipper Connor McAvoy produced a superb last-ditch clearance to thwart Payne’s goal-bound header and ensure parity.

Harrogate Town began to find rhythm and duly took the lead in the 28^th minute when Dolaghan latched onto captain Morris’ rebounded shot, before coolly slotting home past Dante Baptiste to edge the visitors ahead.

Simon Weaver’s men should have doubled their advantage in the 36^th minute when they launched a swift counterattack, but Payne dragged his strike just wide of the far post.

With six minutes of the first-half remaining, the Stones equalised in style as last season’s top scorer, Obiero, rifled home a sumptuous strike from the edge of the box past Oxley.

Waddock’s side returned from half-time on the front-foot and were agonisingly close to forging ahead in the 52^nd minute when Luke Norris directed Aaron Henry’s free-kick on target, generating a fine save from Oxley, with Dion Conroy’s follow-up also blocked.

Despite Wealdstone’s added impetus, it was the visitors who seized the initiative two minutes later through a quick counterattack; Payne surged forward, rounded Baptiste and slotted home into an empty net.

The Stones continued to probe for an equaliser and they were nearly fruitful in the 79^th minute as Smith whipped in a dangerous cross which substitute Wilson Waweru headed narrowly wide at the near post.

Fellow substitute, Fela Olomola, had the opportunity to rescue a point in the 84^th minute, but his powerful header was saved at point-blank range by Oxley.

As the Stones committed men forward in an attempt to level proceedings at the death, the Sulphurites profited from a quick breakaway, with substitute Mcoulsky notching a third for the visitors in the 96^th minute.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday evening when they entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers in the National League Cup at The Vale; kick-off is at 7pm.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Barrett (Mundle-Smith 46), Conroy, McAvoy, Chesters (Olomola 71), Henry, Wells-Morrison, Newton (Smith 45,), Kadji (Harris 68), Norris (Waweru 68), Obiero.

Subs not used: Holden, Francis-Clarke. Attendance: 1,517 (123 away fans)