Wealdstone get back to winning ways after a narrow victory against Altrincham at the J Davidson Stadium.
Alex Reid headed past Robert Lainton just two minutes after half-time with the only goal of the game.
Neil Gibson made three changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Eastleigh at the weekend. New signing Tyler Walker came into the starting XI, replacing Micah Obiero, whilst Alex Dyer and Dom Hutchinson replaced Adrian Mariappa and Connor McAvoy. Kallum Cesay returned to the bench from injury.
The Stones raced out of the blocks at the J Davidson Stadium. Just three minutes in, a whipped ball found Will Randall, who headed into the path of Walker to fire narrowly wide into the side netting.
Altrincham looked to calm the game down after a frantic start. Max Kretzschmar was on hand, five minutes in, to slide in and block an effort from range, that looked destined to hit the target.
The hosts looked to keep hold of the ball in the early stages, but the Stones were dangerous on the break. 20 minutes in, Reid played a perfect ball into the path of Walker, who couldn’t keep his balance before getting his shot away.
But Altrincham began to take control and push the Stones defence back. Luca Gunter was called upon to punch away after a wayward Jack Cook clearance almost looped into his own net.
The Tottenham Hotspur loanee was on hand to keep the scores level, five minutes later, when the ball sat up nicely for Alex Newby, who’s goalbound effort was denied by the reflexes of Gunter.
Like they did in the first-half, the Stones raced out quickly in the second period. Hutchinson found himself played down the right hand side and lifted a delightful ball into the path of Reid, who headed home at the near post from a tight angle.
Having just gone behind, the home side were desperate to level the score instantly. Justin Amaluzor was found in the area, but could only fire straight at Gunter, two minutes later.
Matty Kosylo was next to try his luck, in the 52nd minute, firing narrowly wide of the Stones goal from just outside the area.
With the Stones weathering a short storm from the hosts following the opening goal, they looked double their advantage, in the 54th minute, when Harrison Sohna’s in-swinging free-kick fizzed past the post.
With a goal under their belts the Stones pushed on for a second, creating a plethora of chances in a strong spell of dominance.
Enzio Boldewijn came close to doubling the advantage when his rocket was tipped over by Lainton.
Just minutes later, Walker came close to scoring himself when his deflected effort bounced narrowly past the post.
The hosts looked to put the pressure on with eight minutes added on to the original 90.
With just seconds remaining a curling strike fizzed towards the Stones goal, but a fortunate bounce off the crossbar saw the Stones come away with the victory on the road!
Next up, Woking come to the Vale on Saturday for Non-league day!
WEALDSTONE: Gunter (GK), Cook (C), Grant (Mariappa 55’), Boldewijn, Hutchinson (McAvoy 65’), Sohna, Dyer, Randall (Carayol 71’), Kretzschmar (Cesay 86’), Reid, Walker (Ashford 72’).