STRATFORD Town moved back into the play-off places following a narrow 1-0 home win against Biggleswade Town.
A stunning early goal from Lewis Ludford-Ison proved decisive at the Arden Garages Stadium as the Bards returned to winning ways.
And Stratford goalkeeper Jake Weaver kept out a penalty at the end of the first half while Biggleswade shot-stopper Jack Berman saw red in injury time.
The result means the Bards sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, inside the play-off places on goal difference.
Stratford made the perfect start as Ludford-Ison lobbed the ball over Berman from 40-yards out with the game only two minutes old.
The Bards went close to a second goal soon after as the returning Jack Storer set up Charlie Williams with the latter unable to turn the ball home at the back post.
Biggleswade goalkeeper Berman then tipped Callum Ebanks’ shot over the crossbar when one-on-one.
The away side won a penalty shortly before half time when Paul McCone pushed a visiting player to the ground in the box.
However, Bards stopper Weaver kept out Nagheeb Ibrahim’s tame spot kick, diving to his right, to keep the home side in front.
Stratford spurned another chance to double their lead after the break as Berman kept out Dan Laffety’s effort on the midfielder’s 150th appearance for the club.
And Berman also denied substitute Owen James with an acrobatic stop before Lafferty saw another shot deflected over the crossbar.
However, Biggleswade finished the game with 10-men after Berman picked up two yellow cards in injury time.
Stratford are next in action against Banbury United on Saturday, March 29 with kick-off at 3pm at the Spencer Stadium.
