PAUL McCone scored the winning goal against Bromsgrove Sporting for the second season running as the Bards secured a 2-1 victory in Worcestershire.
McCone’s goal just before the hour mark won the game for Stratford after Lewis Ludford-Ison opened the scoring before Conor Tee drew Sporting level at the Victoria Ground.
And the result means the Bards sit 11th in the Southern League Premier Central table, five points outside of the play-off places.
Bards boss Gavin Hurren once again came out on top against his former club while McCone scored the winner in the fixture for the second successive season.
Stratford took the lead on 37 minutes when Ludford-Ison finished into an empty net from a couple of yards out after former Sporting striker Callum Ebanks fired against the post.
Sporting responded with a chance of their own as Bards goalkeeper Liam O’Brien denied Keiron Berry before Ebanks fired narrrowly wide at the other end.
However, the home side equalised on 50 minutes when Tee curled a sublime effort into the top corner of the goal to leave O’Brien with no chance.
Stratford restored their lead eight minutes later as McCone forced the ball home at the second attempt after Sporting failed to deal with a high ball into the box.
The Rouslers searched for an equaliser and went close through debutant Kobe Hall only for the on-loan Kidderminster man to head wide from Miro Pais’s cross.
Stratford are next in action at home to Royston Town on Saturday, November 18 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
