ANDRE Landell’s late goal earned Stratford Town a crucial 3-2 win against Long Eaton United to keep the Bards firmly in the play-off race.
Landell scored the winner three minutes from time after Paul McCone and Callum Ebanks had put Stratford in command only for Long Eaton to draw level at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The result means Stratford sit sixth in the Southern League Premier Central table, one point outside of the play-off places.
Stratford took the lead on 12 minutes when McCone’s emphatic header at the far post found the net from Chris Hussey’s corner from the left.
Bards midfielder Lewis Ludford-Ison then headed straight at Long Eaton goalkeeper Ross Durrant before Joseph Nyahwema hit the crossbar at the other end as the visitors threatened to draw level.
However, Stratford doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when Ebanks tapped in his 21st goal of the season after an excellent burst of pace from Hussey.
Long Eaton halved the deficit on 58 minutes as Owen Betts smashed home following some slack Bards defending.
And the visitors equalised on 66 minutes when Andrew Wright scored from the penalty spot after Bards goalkeeper Callum Smith brought down Nyahwema in the box.
The home side clinched the points on 87 minutes as Landell powered his way into the box from the halfway line before side-stepping Durrant and applying the finish.
Stratford are next in action away at Stourbridge on Saturday, March 30 with kick-off at 3pm at the War Memorial Athletic Ground.
