CALLUM Ebanks scored a second-half brace as Stratford Town came from behind to claim a 2-1 win against bottom club Berkhamsted.
Ebanks struck twice in the space of eight second-half minutes to turn the game on its head after Max Bustamante opened the scoring for Berkhamsted at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The result means Stratford sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, three points clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off place.
Berkhamsted took the lead on 20 minutes when Bustamante collected Paul McCone’s stray square pass and bundled the ball home from close range after Callum Smith kept out his initial effort.
Stratford almost gifted the visitors a second goal soon after as McCone received a yellow card for a timely challenge before Ebanks went close to an equaliser with a solo effort at the end of the first half.
The Bards hit the woodwork early in the second half when Liam Daly headed against the crossbar from Chris Hussey’s corner while Dan Lafferty and Alex Worley both went close.
And Stratford eventually drew level on the hour mark as Ebanks emphatically volleyed home Hussey’s superb low cross.
Ebanks scored his second of the game to complete the turnaround eight minutes later when he burst through on goal before coolly chipping the ball over Berkhamsted goalkeeper Jamie Head.
Head made two crucial saves to deny Worley as the Bards comfortably held on to secure another crucial win in their push for a play-off place.
Stratford are next in action away at Kettering Town on Saturday, March 9 with kick-off at 3pm at Latimer Park.
