Missed chances cost Wealdstone dear as Gordon Bartlett’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw against East Thurrock last night.

The home side dominated the first half and created countless opportunities, the best of which fell to Stones striker Richard Jolly who fired over after Alex Dyer had pulled it back to him on the edge of the box.

Thurrock though failed to heed the warning signs and two minutes before the break Stones got the breakthrough.

Dyer was again involved, threading a ball through to Jolly who this time made no mistake, finishing smartly for his second goal in as many games.

Thurrock improved in the second half and were duly rewarded soon after the hour mark when Kris Newby found himself unmarked at the back post and lifted the ball over the keeper to draw level.

The visitors almost made it two soon after when Sam Higgins’ powerful effort from an acute angle was well saved by Rikki Banks.

Both sides had chances to win the game late on but neither could make the decisive breakthrough and in the end a draw probably represented a fair result.

Stones’ next encounter is at home against newly promoted Leiston on Saturday.