McKeown’s late show earns Stones a point

WEALDSTONE left it late against Dartford in National League South to draw 1-1 thanks to a goal from substitute Eion McKeown.

The dramatic strike, two minutes into stoppage time, cancelled out Elliot Bradbrook’s opener for the visitors.

It was clear Bobby Wilkinson wanted the Stones to press from the front, encouraging workhorse David Pratt to do just that. However, the game lacked clear-cut chances in the first quarter with a lack of creativity by either side.

Suddenly, Wealdstone sprang into life and in the 31st minute some great individual work from Danny Green on the edge of the box saw his shot rattle the near post.

It only took two minutes for the Stones to hit the woodwork again, Ramarni Medford-Smith latching on to Jeffrey Monakana’s low cross, but he smacked the crossbar.

Green was the chief creator for Stones, but Dartford took the lead when a corner was whipped in from the right by Ben Greenhalgh deep towards the back post as Bradbrook rose highest and headed into the net.

Wealdstone kept battling to the end in search of a leveller and the ball finally fell to McKeown who curled a controlled finish first time across Darts’ keeper Bailey Vose and into the back of the net.

Wealdstone slipped alarmingly from the play-off picture as 2018 came to a close and they are currently 12th, seven points off seventh spot.