Hendon's interest in the London Senior Cup came to an end at Chestnut Avenue, Northwood, where Wealdstone took advantage of two errors at the back to record a 2-0 victory. But for those mistakes, the game may well have needed not only extra-time but a penalty shoot-out to decide it.
The Greens gave a first-team debut to goalkeeper Anthony O'Connor, while the front two were Ian Hilaire and Dean Green. Danny Rouco and Danny Edwards both went onto the subs' bench at the expense of Adilson Lopes and Takumi Ake.
In the first half, Hendon had the advantage of the slope and didn't make the best use of it. Although they had more of the play, there was the usual lack of penetration from the front two, not helped by a paucity of quality when it came to crosses into the danger area.
Neither goalkeeper was called into much action in the 45 minutes, though Lee Carroll had to be alert and well positioned after 26 minutes when Lee O'Leary got a flick at the near post. A powerful shot from Green that was well blocked was the only other notable attempt on target from Hendon.
After the break, Wealdstone came more into the match - their finishing had been even more wayward than Hendon's in the first half - but it looked more and more likely that an error was the only way for the deadlock to be broken.
That turned out to be the case and, unfortunately, the error came from Hendon. A shot from long-distance didn't seem to carry much menace, but O'Connor couldn't hold onto it and the ball bobbled free. There were still enough defenders around to deal with the danger, but a combination of Stanislav Rozboud and John CHRISTIAN did just enough to force the ball over the line, with the latter getting credit for the goal.
Midway through the half, Sam Page, struggling with a knock picked up a few minutes earlier, was replaced by Jazz Rose. At the same time as Edwards took over from Green. Six minutes later, Wealdstone made a triple change and, within a minute, they had made the game safe.
O'Connor called for the ball as a cross came towards him but, before he could get his hands on it, Dean PAPALI had managed to get the deftest of flicks to knock the ball past him and into the net.
Ross Pickett was introducted at the expense of Hilaire and almost immediately had a great chance to reduce the arrears with a free header from a cross by Wayne O'Sullivan. He put the effort over the bar and that signalled the end of Hendon hopes.