Wealdstone 3

Tilbury 1

After three bad results Wealdstone eventually returned to winning ways, beating a spirited Tilbury side on Tuesday with Dennis Greene scoring twice, his first goals since January.

The Stones, who strengthened their grip on the third promotion place, now face two away games in four days, against Barking (Saturday) and leaders Braintree, the only unbeaten side in the four divisions of the Ryman League (Tuesday).

They should have snatched a second-minute lead when Wiggs headed towards his own goal and Brian Jones intercepted, but his shot was saved by the keeper Williams with his legs

Two minutes later, Tilbury took a shock lead when Harrison ran on to a through pass from Jason Smith and volleyed past Darren Bonfield from close range.

The impressive Williams again used his legs to keep the ball out, this time from Steve Bircham.

Not to be outdone, Bonfield pulled off a magnificent save from Gower after 29 minutes, but as the ball ran loose, Roy Marshall brought the striker down in the box. Fortunately for the Stones, Mallon blasted the spot kick over.

The visitors, who should have been 2-0 up, then found themselves 2-1 down when Greene scored twice in a minute.

The first came after 32 minutes from a Paul Benning cross, which Jones flicked on for Greene to fire home Wealdstone's first goal in four games.

A minute later, Paul Lamb's cross was headed back over Williams by Greene for number two.

Right on half-time, Bircham's close range shot was brilliantly saved by Williams.

The Stones were denied a penalty in the 56th minute when Smith brought down Greene, but the referee waved play on.

Bonfield made two excellent saves from Tilbury's dangerman Cook as the visitors fought hard for an equaliser.

Then, with two minutes left, Bircham's shot hit the bar, and from the rebound, Fergus Moore completely missed the ball, but had time to turn back and hit a good shot past Williams at the second attempt

When the final whistle came, it was relief all round for everybody connected with Wealdstone, and hopefully that bad run is now behind them.

WEALDSTONE: Bonfield, Lamb, Horner, Moore, Waugh (Garner), Marshall, McKay, Jones, Bircham, Greene, Benning. Subs: Celaire, Yaku.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.