LEWIS Ludford-Ison scored a second-half brace as Stratford Town came from behind to beat league leaders Mickleover 3-2 and inflict a first defeat of the season on their opponents.
Ludford-Ison struck twice in the space 12 minutes to put the Bards in command after Callum Ebanks levelled the game early in the second half at the Arden Garages Stadium.
That came after Oliver Greaves opened the scoring for Mickleover before scoring a late penalty to set up a nervy finish as Stratford held on to end their three-game winless run in all competitions.
And the result means the Bards sit 11th in the Southern League Premier Central table, five points outside of the play-off places.
Stratford made a bright start as Oliver Bosworth kept out Callum Ebanks’ shot before the Mickleover goalkeeper tipped Paul McCone’s header from the resulting corner over the crossbar.
However, the visitors broke the deadlock on 22 minutes when Greaves burst through on goal before coolly finding the net.
Bards striker Ebanks then saw a header cleared off the line before Bosworth denied both Jack Storer and Dylan Barkers in quick succession.
Stratford eventually drew level on 46 minutes when Ebanks rose highest to head home Charlie Williams’ cross.
The home side completed the turnaround on 57 minutes when Ludford-Ison finished off an excellent move down the right to stun the visitors.
And the Bards were in dreamland on 69 minutes as Ludford-Ison scored his second goal of the game, powering home Chris Hussey’s corner with an emphatic header to leave Bosworth with no chance.
However, Mickleover halved the deficit on 86 minutes when Greaves scored from the penalty spot only for the visitors to have Joseph Bateman sent off late on.
Victory for the Bards brought an end to Mickleover’s 13-game unbeaten run in the league.
Stratford are next in action away at Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday, November 11 with kick-off at 3pm at the Victoria Ground.
