Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett hailed his side's victory over an understrength Hayes & Yeading as another step towards their top half target.

A whirlwind start saw Stones cruise into a 3-0 lead thanks to a Darren Purse own goal and strikes from Scott Davies and Matt Harriott.

And there was no coming back from that for United as they slipped to their second league defeat in just over 48 hours.

Bartlett said: “I'm not clear of the relegation zone – it's three points closer to where we want to be.

“The target is to finish higher than last year. A lot of people have asked me about relegation.

“We've gone 17 games with two defeats. We're aiming for the top half of the table. I've believed we can reach the top half.

“We've had consistency but it's been draws and we're looking for a run of wins. I still believe in the squad.

He added: “I never felt in any danger at all tonight. I don't remember the goalkeeper (James Bransgrove) having to make a save tonight. I thought we were very comfortable and kept possession well.

“Even though we're down to the bare bones after Wes Parker's hamstring injury, we had Wrighty (Jonny Wright) at right back.”

Injuries and suspensions forced United manager Gary Haylock to field a trio of debutants alongside veteran Darren Purse in the back four.

And by the time the quartet had got acquainted Stones had struck three times in the opening 21 minutes to effectively end the contest before it had begun.

The hosts struck their first blow with just over eight minutes on the clock when Scott Davies drilled over a corner from the left and from Jefferson Louis’ initial header the ball struck Purse on the back and dropped beyond keeper James Hamon.

Before the visitors’ heads could clear they were 2-0 down with just 13 minutes played. Josh McLeod-Urquhart’s ball down the right found Davies, who held off his marker and advanced into the area before placing his shot in the far corner.

And Wealdstone, without a home league win since November were in cruise control when the best move of the match produced a third goal eight minutes later.

Left back Dale Binns, playing against his old club, created the danger with a surge down the left and when Louis played the cross back to the edge of the area Matt Harriott arrowed a superb shot beyond Hamon’s left hand.

Memories of surrendering a four-goal lead against Truro recently perhaps accounted for Stones adopting a more cautious approach for the remainder of the half allowing United a couple of half chances which failed to trouble James Bransgrove in the home goal.

Wealdstone boss: Gordon Bartlett
Hayes & Yeading manager Garry Haylock

A largely uneventful second half saw Stones’ West Ham loanee Nathan Mavila threaten the windows of neighbouring houses with one wild effort, while another new-boy James Demetriou, on loan from Premiership Swansea City, missed a chance to make a big first impression by firing wide when clean through.

Bradley Hudson-Odoi produced a fine stop from Hamon, while the closest United came to a consolation was from substitute Luke Williams’ low skimmer which flew just wide as the final whistle blew left Haylock licking his wounds.

He said: “I thought they looked stronger, quicker, fitter, faster. They put the ball in the right areas and took advantage of a bit of fortune.

“If you give a team a three goal start you struggle to get it back. It's a poor performance. We weren't good enough. We'll analyse it and move on.

“The boys that have come in have done quite well. They're young and we didn't know much about them but we needed reinforcements. We've got some decent quality and we were a better group than Saturday.”

Stones are on the road this Saturday visiting Oxford City before entertaining in-form playoff chasers Sutton on Monday, while United will hope to have a few more regular faces back on duty at the weekend when they visit Margate.