Wealdstone prepared for a difficult FA Trophy trip to Weston Super Mare on Tuesday evening by gaining a valuable three points in their quest for National League South consolidation after an away win at Chelmsford City.

West Ham United loanee keeper Sam Howes and highly experienced defender Jack Smith, signed from league rivals Hemel Hempstead Town on Friday, made debuts, while Tom Cadmore was fit and able to replace the suspended Tom Hamblin.

Wealdstone were put under early pressure by the higher placed home side but for all their attacking intent, it was Stones that grabbed the lead on 15 minutes.

From a decent Scott Davies corner Jonathan Wright rose to meet it at the far post but the hosts failed to react as it crashed against the bar, leaving skipper Wes Parker to get down low, finding the net from close-range.

City attempted an immediate reply and almost achieved it when Rory McAuley dived to meet Matt Whichelow’s corner, only to watch it fly over.

The home side thought they’d pulled themselves back into the contest when Marvin Ekpiteta converted Graham’s free-kick at the back post, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Ben Marlow for City went close with a volley before half-time but the miss proved costly as Lee Sawyer was dispossessed with acres of space gaping behind them. It allowed the ever lively Bradley Hudson-Odoi to power through and rifle home past Brown, leaving City in real trouble at a crucial point in the match.

Stones created good chances to increase their lead in the second half and Jefferson Louis powered home a header but the big front man was denied by the offside flag.