STRATFORD Town missed the chance to consolidate their place in the play-off places following a 1-0 defeat at Kettering Town.
Daniel Jarvis’s strike on 30 minutes ricocheted into the net off Bards goalkeeper Callum Smith to settle the game at Latimer Park.
And the result means Stratford sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, two points inside the play-off places although Leamington in sixth have a game in-hand.
The visitors went close to the opening goal when Lewis Ludford-Ison fired a fierce free-kick narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
At the other end, Kelvin Langmead crashed a header against the crossbar from a corner as the Poppies looked to take advantage of the windy conditions.
And Kettering took the lead on the half-hour mark when Jarvis’s shot hit the post and rebounded into the net off the unfortunate Smith.
However, Stratford felt defender Liam Daly had been fouled in the lead up to the goal after Kettering’s Addillanie Yussuf appeared to barge the Bards player in the back as he tried to deal with a high ball.
Smith then made a smart save to keep out Yussuf’s powerful shot as the Bards trailed at the interval.
Stratford boss Gavin Hurren introduced debutant Andre Landell from the bench in the second period as the visitors dominated second-half proceedings without creating a clear-cut chance.
Kettering made a series of blocks to deny the Bards an equaliser as Landell, Daly and Ison all saw efforts stopped before reaching the Poppies goal.
The visitors saw a shot headed off the line three minutes from time before Landell sent an overhead kick narrowly wide as Kettering held on to claim the points.
Stratford are next in action away at Coalville Town on Saturday, March 16 with kick-off at 3pm at the Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium.
