DAN Lafferty scored the only goal as managerless Stratford Town secured a narrow 1-0 win away at Hitchin Town.
Lafferty struck on 34 minutes to keep the Bards in play-off contention at Top Field as caretaker managers Chris Hussey and Paul Davis guided the visitors to victory.
The result means Stratford sit sixth in the Southern League Premier Central table, outside of the play-off places on goal difference.
Storm Bert brought strong winds and heavy rain to Hertfordshire while caretaker boss Hussey started from the off.
Both teams tried to play football on a surface which worsened over the course of the match.
Stratford created the game’s first chance as Callum Ebanks forced Sebastian Stacey into an early save after Lewis Ludford-Ison flicked on Jake Weaver’s long kick into the striker’s path.
Hitchin went close at the other end as Kye Tearle pounced on a mistake from Weaver but could only shoot narrowly wide of the target.
Stacey made another crucial save later in the half as he tipped Paul McCone’s fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.
The game’s decisive moment came on 34 minutes when Lafferty fired home after controlling a spinning ball following good work from Finley Brennan who charged down Stacey’s initial clearance
And the visitors had a goal ruled out for offside after the break as Ludford-Ison poked home McCone’s header across the box only for the assistant’s flag to deny the Bards a second goal.
Hitchin failed to test Weaver in the second half as the Bards held firm to secure an impressive victory.
Stratford are next in action against Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, November 30 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
