STRATFORD Town scored two late goals to earn a come-from-behind 2-1 win against play-off chasing Stamford who finished the game with 10-men.
The Bards trailed to Lee Shaw’s first-half goal before Stamford defender Ashton Offler saw red on the hour mark after tangling with Jack Storer.
Stratford made the most of the man advantage to draw level on 82 minutes through captain Paul McCone before Charlie Williams completed the turnaround three minutes later at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The result means the Bards sit seventh in the Southern League Premier Central table, three points outside of the play-off places.
Stamford almost took the lead early on when Shaw’s attempted lob came back off the crossbar with Stratford’s debutant goalkeeper Callum Smith in no man’s land.
At the other end, Storer forced Stamford goalkeeper Michael Duggan into a fine save before Callum Ebanks had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, the visitors broke the deadlock on 22 minutes when Shaw finished off a flowing move after good work from Jack Duffy.
The game turned on the hour mark after a coming together between Storer and Offler saw the latter awarded a free-kick before he threw the ball at the former and received a straight red card.
Stratford searched for an equaliser and were denied by the woodwork as Alex Worley’s shot hit the post and bounced to safety.
However, the Bards eventually drew level with eight minutes left to play when Ebanks flicked on Chris Hussey’s free-kick and McCone applied the finishing touch.
And the home side completed the comeback on 85 minutes as Williams’s shot slipped through the hands of Stamford keeper Duggan and into the net.
Stratford are next in action at home to Barwell on Saturday, January 13 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
