STRATFORD Town took a giant step towards safety with a vital 2-1 home win against Mickleover before the Bards were beaten 2-0 at promotion hopefuls Tamworth on Easter Monday.
The Bards edged out Mickleover thanks to Dan Lafferty’s late goal after Kyle Bennett’s opener was cancelled out by Oliver Greaves’s equaliser on the hour mark at the Arden Garages Stadium.
However, Stratford were beaten 2-0 at high flying Tamworth on Easter Monday as goals in either half from Daniel Creaney and Kyle Finn settled the game at the Lamb Ground.
The results mean Stratford sit 16th in the Southern League Premier Central table, seven points clear of the relegation zone with just two matches left to play.
Kings Langley, who occupy the final relegation place, have a game in hand on the Bards but will need to pick up at least seven points from their remaining three matches to catch the Bards.
And Stratford made the ideal start against Mickleover when Bennett turned the ball home at the second attempt on 13 minutes from Jamie Molyneux’s cutback.
However, Mickleover equalised on 60 minutes when Greaves was afforded too much room and fired home as he capitalised on some slack defending to score.
The home side were on top thereafter and reclaimed the lead on 80 minutes as Lafferty scored whilst prone on the ground after his initial effort had been saved following good work from Callum Ebanks.
However, Gavin Hurren’s side were unable to back up that performance with another positive result in what was their fourth game in nine days at Tamworth.
The Bards fell behind to Creaney’s sixth-minute opener as the striker nipped in ahead of goalkeeper Liam O’Brien to convert Finn’s cross.
And Tamworth made sure of the points on 58 minutes when Finn finished off a flowing move past O’Brien who could only get his fingertips to the shot.
Hurren’s men need just one win from their remaining two league matches to secure their status in the division next season having enjoyed a fine second half of the campaign.
Stratford are next in action at home to Coalville Town on Saturday, April 15 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
