Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett believes fatigue and a lack of available players has cost his side dearly.

The Stones have lost three consecutive league matches which has ended any prospect of a late Ryman Premier play-off charge.

Bartlett was without his whole back four in Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Concord Rangers and was again hit by absentees in Monday’s 1-0 loss to Cray Wanderers.

Bartlett, whose side enjoyed a 12-game unbeaten run recently, said: “Playing three games in five days [Thursday’s Middlesex Charity Cup win over North Greenford United] doesn’t help.

“If you look over the two league games we looked a tired outfit. Saturday was like men against boys. We got bullied on Saturday and I have no complaints about the scoreline.

“I was disappointed for the lads because with five games to go we are struggling to get into the top half of the table.

“It just seems to be an ongoing chain of events and a continuous tale of our misfortune.”

Gavin Massey scored his first goal since joining on loan from Watford during the Concord defeat.

But Bartlett believes there is more to come from the teenage striker.

The manager added: “By Gavin’s own admission there is room for improvement.”

The Stones travel to Hendon on Saturday.