Hastings sunk by high-flying Stones

An already tough task was made even more difficult after just 17 minutes, when United lost goalkeeper Liam O’Brien to a groin injury sustained taking a goal kick earlier on.

With no keeper among the substitutes, midfielder Tom Vickers took over the gloves for the remainder of the Ryman Football League Premier Division game.

The hosts were keen to test Vickers straight away, but after a string of decent saves, the stand-in conceded a penalty following a clip to the heels of Stones winger Tom Pett on 34 minutes.

With the home crowd urging the referee to produce a red card, Vickers escaped with a booking, but could do nothing about the imminent spot-kick.

After the break, Wealdstone started to dominate proceedings, and United fell further behind before the hour when Peter Dean slotted home.

Adrian Stone then had United’s best attempt to get back into the match following some good work from Zac Attwood, though the forward’s tame effort was comfortably saved.

Dean then completed the scoring on 68 minutes, racing through to chip the on-rushing Vickers. The game went ahead after the pitch passed a morning inspection despite some heavy overnight rain.

United: O’Brien (Manning), Cox, Murphy, Carey, Richardson, Judge, Crellin, Vickers, Stone, Attwood, Goldberg.