Jefferson Louis was the star of the show as Wealdstone battered Gosport Borough 3-0 to return to winning ways

The 36-year-old frontman and partner-in-crime Scott McGleish, five years his senior, dominated the Gosport backline from start to finish, rolling back the years in a masterful striking display.

After successive losses against Havant & Waterlooville and Bishop’s Stortford, boss Gordon Bartlett shuffled his pack and went with a 4-4-2 diamond in order to match the visitors.

The decision worked a treat and The Stones almost struck after six minutes when the iron will of McGleish saw him nip in front of Gosport goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore and prod narrowly wide after the hesitated in gathering a free kick at his near post.

Boro replied via Daniel Smith, who lashed a half-volley narrowly wide of the top corner of Jonathan North’s goal after connecting sweetly with Andrew Forbes’ knock-down.

Louis might have opened his account for the evening when the industrious Scott Davies charged at the Boro backline before crossing for the former Hendon and Margate forward to fire a bicycle kick over the bar from 18 yards.

But in the 26th minute The Stones went 1-0 up with Louis playing a starring role.

Having lost and regained possession, the veteran forward started a slick move which ended with Matty Ball cutting inside his marker and bending a delicious effort into the far corner from 18 yards, leaving Ashmore with no chance.

North had to be alert shortly after the half-hour mark when Luke O’Nien surrendered possession cheaply, enabling Sam Pearce to stride forward and see his 25-yard shot tipped wide.

And North was called upon again just after the restart as Gosport enjoyed their best period, flinging himself down low at the feet of Lee Wort to twice deny the visiting forward.

Gosport continued their bright start and former Southampton forward Matthew Paterson’s shot brought the best out of North, who had to scramble the striker’s low effort around his post.

But just two minutes later The Stones doubled their lead.

Louis and McGleish once more combined beautifully; the former setting the latter through to plant casually beyond Ashmore, demonstrating all the experience of a lengthy professional career in the professional ranks.

Scott McGleish scores Wealdstone's second. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FC

Ball could have snatched his second soon after when Louis strode away from his marker to whip across the face of goal but the midfielder’s touch let him down when in a good shooting position.

Gosport still retained a slight threat, evident when full-back Rory Williams cut inside O’Nien only to find North equal to his deflected rocket.

O’Nien almost atoned for his slip when set away by Louis down the right but the Watford loanee waited too long to get his shot off and could not beat Ashmore at his near post.

Next it was the turn of McGleish to ponder on the ball – with Louis again the provider – but the former Barnet and Bristol Rovers hitman dithered and was unable to squeeze his shot past Ashmore.

Gosport hit the post with 14 minutes remaining when Adam Wilde whipped in a dangerous left-footed free-kick from the right but it mattered not as the hosts killed the game off four minutes later.

Louis was slipped in and capped his sterling performance by coolly side-footing into the top corner of the net to bring the house down in front of the raucous Stones supporters.

Three points sees Wealdstone up to 11th in the Conference South ahead of Saturday’s home tie with second-placed Boreham Wood, whose manager Ian Allinson was in attendance tonight.

Wealdstone: North; Martin, Parker (c), Hamblin (Hammond 90), Watts; Godfrey (Wright 81); O’Nien, Ball; Davies (Brown 64); Louis, McGleish.

Subs not used: Cronin, Jolly.

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis.

Attendance: 535.