Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett believes new signing Jefferson Louis can help the Stones lose their unwanted tag as the lowest scoring team in the Conference South this season.

Despite Bartlett’s side’s improved form, they are unbeaten in their last six matches, Wealdstone have netted just 19 times in their 19 league games - the lowest in the division alongside Farnborough.

It is something Bartlett hopes Louis can change.

“Jefferson has scored goals wherever he has played,” the Stones boss said.

“He is big, strong and is a winner. He gives us an option and brings something different to the side. That will benefit us.

“He has been a bit of a journeyman but lives in Aylesbury and works in Brent. So hopefully he is settled and wants to enjoy his football.

“Ultimately he really wanted to get out of Lowestoft Town and we didn’t have to pay any money to bring him to the club.

“I called Gary McCann who had him at Hendon at the start of last season and he gave Jefferson a glowing recommendation.

“Hopefully he will help us score a few more goals in the league and move us further up the table.”

The Stones took a break from league action on Saturday and clinched an FA Trophy first round victory against Hayes and Yeading United.

In a closely contested game, the two sides couldn’t be separated in the opening period. And it took until 74th minute for the deadlock to be broken.

From a corner, a goal mouth melee saw Tom Hamblin fire against the upright. The loose ball dropped to the prone Wes Parker who rifled into the net from close range.

The result means the Stones have only been beaten once in their last nine matches and Bartlett is delighted with his side’s resilience.

“There is no doubt we have improved since the start of the season,” he said. “We have cut out the individual errors and the lads we brought in have settled.

“The margins are so fine in football that once you start winning games then the confidence and momentum can carry you forward.

“We are not exactly where I wanted us to be though and I don’t think the balance of the team is as good as last season at the moment.

“We played free flowing attacking football last season but we haven’t managed that so far, however, we are getting beter.”

The Stones face Bath City this Saturday, who they have also been drawn against in the FA Trophy second round.

It starts a run of five games in 16 days for Wealdstone and Bartlett admits he may have to reinforce his squad.

“We have a few absentees due to injuries so we might look to strengthen. We certainly won’t panic buy though.

“We will have Matty Ball back for the weekend game which will help us. Saturday’s match should be a good rehearsal for the FA Trophy tie in a few weeks.

“Hopefully we can go there and get a good result but I will be honest with you, I was a lot more confident of facing them before they went and beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 in the FA Trophy.”

When asked if he thought Bath may suffer a hangover from that victory, Bartlett replied: “No chance, If they had beaten them on a Tuesday then perhaps that would have helped us.

“They have had a week to get over that and get ready to face us so they will know it is back to the league as usual.”