STRATFORD Town saw their five-game winning run at home come to an end following a frustrating 1-1 draw against struggling Hitchin Town.
The Bards trailed to Daniel Stokoe’s first-half penalty before Fin Brennan levelled the game directly from a corner after the break at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the result means Stratford sit fourth in the Southern League Premier Central table, five points behind leaders Bedford Town with a game in-hand.
Hitchin looked to catch a lethargic Stratford defence cold early on as Rio Deall raced through for the visitors only to shoot wide of the target.
And Hitchin then went close from a corner as Stratford scrambled the ball to safety before Stokoe wasted another chance when through one-on-one.
However, Hitchin eventually broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when Kevin Joshua made a clumsy challenge in the box and Stokoe converted from the penalty spot.
The visitors had two further chances to extend their lead before the half-hour mark but were unable to take advantage of their early momentum.
Stratford sparked into life soon after as Hitchin goalkeeper Sebastian Stacey denied Callum Ebanks with his legs.
And the Bards ended the first half strongly as Ebanks wasted another chance when well-placed in the box.
However, the home side equalised four minutes after the break when Brennan’s floated corner from the left evaded everybody in the box and found the back of the net.
The Bards created a raft of chances thereafter as Kasway Burton, Owen James and Ebanks all saw chances come and go.
Stratford are next in action against Stourbridge on Saturday, March 8 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
