Anthony Limbrick tried to force the play with a spectacular effort from 40 yards – the ball was heading for the top corner but goalkeeper Jason Willis managed to tip it behind. At the other end Glen Johnson was called into action when Jeff Hammond latched on to a through ball, he outpaced his marker but shot straight at the grateful keeper. The tactic of defending corners with men on each post saved Wingate & Finchley twice in quick succession towards the end of the half as first Elvis Balic, and then Daniel Clarke, were both well positioned to keep the scores deservedly level going into the break.

The second half was a different story altogether. Waltham Forest quickly tired as the home side controlled most of the possession and created most of the chances. Full back Denis Paratusic went on a surging run, but his shot was comfortably held by Willis. On the hour mark Tashan Bradshaw-Brown broke into space down the right flank after an excellent advantage from the referee after a foul on Joe O’Brien. Bradshaw’s cross fell straight at the feet of Daniel Clarke whose shot on the turn struck the base of the far post. Substitute James Gershfield, making his competitive debut for the First Team fresh from scoring a hat-trick for the Reserves on Saturday, won the ball on the halfway line and headed on to O’Brien.

He then set Bradshaw-Brown free with a subtle flick but once again the finish did not do the build-up justice as the ball flew across the face of the goal. With the scores still level Waltham Forest were not out of the game, and The Blues were given a scare as Hammond found space and tried to lob the advancing Johnson but he dragged his effort wide. Wingate & Finchley kept up the pressure though, and a break from Gershfield resulted with the ball falling at the feet of Clarke again inside the box, but Willis got down well to block Clarke’s shot with an outstretched left arm. In the closing stages Guy Helman went on a trademark surging run down the left, and after exchanging a one-two with O’Brien let fly with a powerful shot but Willis stood tall and tipped the ball over.

Next up for The Blues is a tough trip in the FA Cup to Dunstable Town on Saturday.

Wingate & Finchley: Glen Johnson, Denis Paratusic, guy Helman, Craig Ellis, Billy Amarteifio, Shola Oyedele, Joe O’Brien, Elvis Balic (James Gershfield 62), Daniel Clarke, Tashan Bradshaw-Brown (Jamie Hazell 71), Anthony Limbrick (Dan Stanton 71).Subs: Marc Weatherstone, Daniel Berg.