Forward netted twice for Stones in dramatic finale against Romans

Mike Percival lavished praise on Elliott Charles after his late double helped Wealdstone to a 3-3 draw at home to Bath City in the Vanarama National League South.

Stones had trailed by two after Ross Stearn netted a brace for the Romans, though an Anthony Straker own goal and Charles’ first drew the home team level with five minutes to go.

In the 87th minute, however, Stearn completed his hat-trick to put the Twerton Park outfit back in front.

That seemed to set the Grosvenor Vale outfit on course for a defeat, only for Charles to level the scores again in the 89th minute.

The point could prove to be a valuable one for Wealdstone come the end of the season and though assistant manager Percival was frustrated with the display on the whole, he was thrilled with Charles’ impact off the bench.

“Obviously it was so disappointing in the first half and we were beaten all over the pitch,” he said.

“We started the second half better and the balance was better. Elliott made a massive difference.

“Elation and disappointment are just some of the emotions we had after the game, but we have to take the positives.

“We signed Elliott to use his physical presence in games. It’s taken a couple of weeks for him to get up to speed, but he’s had to wait for his chance.

“He did what he needed to do and changed the game so fair play to him.”

*Additional reporting by Sam Watts.