Recently appointed Wealdstone boss David Noble was devastated to have conceded so late on but praised the effort of the team as they drew 1-1 at Southend United on Tuesday.

A goal after just five minutes from Sean Jordon Adarkawa got the visitors off to the perfect start at Roots Hall.

But Henry Sandat’s last-gasp deflected effort saw Stones’ hearts broken as they came away with just a point.

“I think if you had asked me before the game, I’d have probably taken a point,” said Noble candidly.

“The way it panned out, it’s always a difficult one when you concede late.

“It’s disappointing in the end, but a really good performance with grit and determination from the boys. It’s really good to see as a manager. There’s bundles of it from all of them.”

With the games ahead coming thick and fast, Noble spoke of the importance of a hard-earned point on the road, adding that it may stand them in good stead in the National League relegation dogfight come the end of the season.

“I think it is a good point. Well, I hope it is one that we’ll all look back on and think that that proves all,” he told the club’s media channel.

“I hope so. As I said, before the game, I’d have probably taken a point.

"With a win on Saturday [3-2 at York City], four points out of those two games is a good return.

"But we look back and we had some golden opportunities to put the game to bed tonight, but all in all, it was a pretty good performance.”

On their play in the final third, the Stones boss admitted he had told his side after the game that they lacked quality in front of goal, which ultimately cost them the win.

“I’ve just said to them, we just lack that little bit of quality," he added.

"Some of the football we played threw Southend tonight and some of the chances we created were really good and really pleasing to see, but just without that last bit.”

Despite the disappointing finish to the game, Noble’s side can now look forward to an FA Trophy quarter-final at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday against a Solihull Moors side who currently sit in fourth place in the National League.

They will then play host to third-placed Bromley the following Tuesday as their fight to stay in the National League continues.

Max Kretzschmar's second-half brace helped Wealdstone win at York, after Jack Cook had cancelled out Billy Chadwick's opener just before the break.

Chadwick struck again with 12 minutes left, but Stones held on for the win.