A dramatic late double from Wealdstone captain Wes Parker saw Stones come from behind to claim a massive three points again fellow promotion contenders Margate on Saturday.
It had looked a completely different story until 84 minutes, with Stones being outplayed by a well organised and physical Margate side, but Parker equalised after the visitor’s ‘keeper had fumbled a delivery from Lee Chappell, before Chappell and Parker combined again with a minute left to play to seal the unlikeliest but most exhilarating of victories.
The introduction of Esmond James and the newly returned Richard Jolly provided the spark late on for Stones as they turned the game on its head in the final ten minutes.
The home side got off to the worst possible start when they fell behind with just 90 seconds on the clock. Matt Bodkin swung over a cross from the right which Dan Stubbs was able to head home at the near post.
Wealdstone looked for a quick response, and Elliot Godfrey hit a vicious effort which was turned behind by a defender, before Leon Smith burst into the box where he was denied by a good challenge from Phil Starkey.
The opening minutes were an end to end affair, and Godfrey did well to get in the way of a powerful effort from Dan Stubbs which looked to be heading for the top corner.
The visitors had a couple of chances to double their lead after the break, with Carl Rook being denied by Rikki Banks, before Tommy Whitnall flashed a header just wide from Bodkin’s corner.
At the other end Smith had another chance on 17 minutes; getting on the end of a great through ball from Scott McCubbin before cutting inside and firing straight at Margate ‘keeper Holloway.
Stones had another decent chance with half an hour on the clock, a great passing move resulting Peter Dean unleashing an effort which Holloway did well to block.
Five minutes before the break the visitors had a glorious chance to double their advantage, with the lively Dan Stubbs bursting into the box before firing across the face of goal and just wide of the far post.
Margate started the second half the better of the sides, with Whitnall firing just wide following a good ball from Matt Bodkin before Whitnall again came close- this time heading just over the bar from a Bodkin corner.
Carl Rook was then guilty of missing another decent chance for Gate with an hour on the clock, firing straight at Rikki Banks from close range after Stones failed to clear their lines from a corner.
Wealdstone had their best chance of the contest so far on 67 minutes, with Alex Dyer threading a great through ball to Dean who tried to round the ‘keeper but just lost control of the ball at the pivotal moment.
The introduction of Esmond James on 76 minutes appeared to give the home side a lift, as the wingers pace and direct running caused the Margate backline problems.
Despite a frustrating afternoon, the unthinkable happened with six minutes left to play as Stones turned the game on its head
They were level on 84 minutes when Lee Chappell’s ball into the box was fumbled by Holloway, with Sean Cronin pouncing on the loose ball and firing it goal wards where it was helped over the line by Wes Parker.
The dramatic winner then came with one minute of normal time remaining; Chappell picked out Parker from a free kick and the defender found space to expertly glance a free header past Holloway into the bottom corner to seal a vital victory for his side.
Report by Stuart Warren
Attendance: 647
MoM: Wes Parker (Wealdstone)
Wealdstone: Banks, McCubbin, Chappell, Parker, Cronin, Dyer (James 76), Brooks, Godfrey (Webb 69), Smith (Jolly 59), Dean, Pett. Subs not used: North, Alaile
