STRATFORD Town secured a 2-0 home win against St Ives Town to move within one point of the top of the table.
The Bards produced a dominant first-half display as Dan Lafferty and Owen James struck inside half an hour at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the result means Stratford sit one point behind leaders Kettering Town in the Southern League Premier Central table, although the table toppers have three games in-hand.
The home side almost took the lead inside the first minute as James fired narrowly wide from a tight angle following a defensive mix-up.
And the Bards broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Lafferty exchanged passes with James before lashing a shot into the net from 25-yards out.
Stratford doubled their lead on 27 minutes as James steered home Lafferty’s ball from the right at the back post.
St Ives improved after the break as Bards goalkeeper Jake Weaver kept the visitors at bay.
The home side almost added a third goal as Finlay Brennan drove into the box and saw his effort beaten away by Daniel Wilks with Lewis Ludford-Ison’s follow-up ruled out for offside.
Stratford are next in action against Spalding United on Saturday, January 18 with kick-off at 3pm at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
