The fact Wealdstone can move above big-spending Ebbsfleet in Monday's game is a testament to how far the club have come, according to manager Gordon Bartlett.

The Stones had a horrendous start to their first Conference South season but have climbed the table since October and are just two points shy of one of the financial powerhouses of the league.

And Bartlett admits he's amazed to see his side so close behind them and believes his side's new-found freedom after securing mathematical survival can help them.

“It's a possibility (we can go above them). You go through their team sheet and you wonder how they're just two points in front of us. They've got quality right the way through their squad.

Hat-trick hero: Jefferson Louis

“They have players with Football League experience and when you look at it and you wonder how you can compete in the same league.

“It shows how far we've come but we want to keep progressing. If we could get in front of them that'd be great but we don't have the pressure on that we've got to do things and can play with more freedom.”

Bartlett is hoping the Stones fans can continue their fantastic backing this season and remains grateful for their support through a turbulent campaign.

“The crowd have been fantastic. In the early part where we were struggling. They stuck with us. Crowds this year have been up again.

“We're getting regular 7-800s. It'd be lovely to reach the 1,000 figure. If we could get that it'd be nice and we have a couple of games to against fancied sides as we've got Whitehawk the following Saturday. I can't praise the fans highly enough this year after difficult times.”

Jefferson Louis bagged a hat-trick as the Stones saw off the challenge of Farnborough with Scott McGleish finding the net in the 4-1 win.