Wealdstone remain looking for their first home Vanarama Conference South win after Maidenhead grabbed an 86th minute equaliser in a competitive, entertaining but ultimately hugely frustrating encounter at The Vale on Saturday.
Results may still be hard to come by for Stones who remain third from bottom of the table but 722 fans still turned up to witness an absorbing game of football that remained in the balance until the final whistle.
Striker Connor Calcutt on loan from League Two Stevenage and midfielder Matt Ball made their league debuts in a very bright first 25 minutes for the lively and improving home side.
Stones looked over eager in the final third but kept the pressure on the Magpies in the early stages. But the first real chance of the match fell to the away side when Danny Green’s header was cleared off the line brilliantly by defender Sean Cronin.
Stones soon hit back when Luke O’Nien was put clear but his strike was saved low down by an alert Brett William. Stones midfield was worryingly conceding ground as the Magpies corner count mounted but their defence held firm. The away side eventually chalked up 15 corners by the final whistle, indicating overall dominance in possession but also strong defending by the home side.
From a wide free kick, Matt Ball brought a fine stop from William as the home side tried to counter but were still losing possession too cheaply. Calcutt then when close after Shaun Lucien had wriggled free and sent over a teasing cross for the tall front man.
Wealdstone were by far the more relieved side as the half time whistle blew at 0-0.
Stones looked far more cohesive as an attacking force after the restart with Lucien now causing the Magpies backline serious problems down the flank. Ball volleyed over after 55 minutes but the home side finally made the breakthrough on 72 minutes when Lucien went a jinking run and curled a fine effort past the despairing dive of William. Lucien then almost repeated the act a minute later but this time he was off target as the Magpies rocked.
But United soon settled and from poor last ditch defending they grabbed a late leveller when Tarpey drove home past Jon North. McGleish lost the ball upfield and when a quick break was not closed down Adrian Clifton cleverly squared to Tarpey who had the easiest of opportunities to net.
Stones could and should have immediately hit back with a winner. An incisive break upfield found Calcutt whose excellent low cross was met by McGleish but instead of side footing into the corner smashed the ball straight at William who saved with his face.
Wealdstone will also feel hard done by with a couple of decent penalty shouts turned down late on, but on balance a point was fair but nonetheless it was frustratingly very, very close to all three.
Wealdstone : North,Hammond, Watts, Parker (c), Cronin, Godfrey, Lucien, Ball, McGleish, Calcutt, O’Nien. Subs used: Hickey, Brown, Martin. Not used: Turner, Wright.
William Hill MoM: Shaun Lucien
