Defensive errors prove costly as Hawks surrender to Wealdstone

Goals early in each half by Dean Beckwith and Danny Kedwell gave the home side the advantage.

But a series of poor defensive errors allowed the league leaders to storm to victory.

The Hawks made a dream start by taking the lead after only four minutes.

Andy Drury delivered a corner to the far post, where Beckwith climbed above the defenders to send in a downward header.

Wealdstone scrambled the ball away but the officials adjudged the ball had already crossed the goal-line.

It was a positive start by the hosts who remained on the front foot.

Jonah Ayunga looped a header over the top from another cross from the right.

Then, at the other end, a poor clearance inside the area presented Wealdstone with their first chance.

However, Michee Efete fired wide of the target.

Goalkeeper Harvey Isted raced out of his area to kick the ball away after Kedwell put Ayunga in.

Yet the visitors levelled matters on 25 minutes with Efete meeting a superb Jacob Mendy cross to send a thumping header into the top corner of the net.

Before the break, the home side were forced to replace the injured Ayunga with Alfie Rutherford.

The home side needed just two minutes after the break to regain the lead.

Drury whipped in a free-kick from the right and Kedwell guided his header past the flailing Isted.

Hawks keeper Ross Worner produced a good block following a scramble in the home goalmouth.

Yet the visitors equalised for the second time on 58 minutes when Moses Emmanuel drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Worner then saved brilliantly at the feet of Emmanuel after the forward beat the off-side trap.

But the visitors grabbed the lead on 75 minutes after Walton lost possession in his own half.

When the ball was played across to Emmanuel, he powered his shot into the roof of the net.

And on 81 minutes Danny Green scored from close-range following another defensive error.