KYLE Bennett’s goal helped Stratford Town secure their league status for another season with a stunning 1-0 win against title-chasing Coalville Town.
Bennett scored the game’s only goal on 50 minutes in front of more than 1,000 fans at the Arden Garages Stadium as the Bards extended their unbeaten run at home to nine matches with arguably their finest victory.
The result means Stratford sit 16th in the Southern League Premier Central table with one game left to play.
Stratford started the better of the two teams as Callum Ebanks won the ball close to halfway and broke down the right before he bore down on goal and fired narrowly wide.
And the Bards came forward again soon after as Lewis Ludford-Ison saw a header tipped over the crossbar before Ebanks had an effort blocked and Bennett shot wide.
However, Coalville flexed their muscles when Tom McGlinchey clipped the crossbar before Luke Shaw hit the outside of the post moments before the break.
The home side made the perfect start to the second half when Bennett kept his cool to finish from a tight angle after Ebanks’ initial shot came back off the post after good work from Charlie Williams and Dan Lafferty.
A point would have taken Coalville top of the table but Stratford defended manfully to keep their opponents at bay and retain their Southern League Premier Division Central status.
Stratford finish the season away at Basford United on Saturday, April 22 with kick-off at 3pm at Greenwich Avenue.
