STRATFORD Town’s six-game winning run in the league came to an end following a 1-0 defeat away at Needham Market.
Former Football League midfielder Reggie Lambe scored the game’s only goal on the hour mark at Bloomfields.
A penalty save from Jake Weaver kept the Bards in the contest only for Dan Lafferty to see red late on as Stratford lost for the first time since the turn of the year.
The result means Stratford sit ninth in the Southern League Premier Central table, three points outside of the play-off places.
Needham almost broke the deadlock early on when Dan Morphew saw his header at the back post hit the inside the post.
Bards goalkeeper Weaver managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line despite Needham appealing for a goal.
Stratford’s best chance of the first half fell to Lafferty who could not find a way past James Bradbrook in the Needham net.
The game’s decisive moment came on 60 minutes when Lambe curled a stunning effort into the top-right corner from 25-yards out.
Needham won a penalty four minutes later after Bo Morris hauled down Seth Chambers in the box.
However, Weaver tipped Luke Ingram’s spot kick onto the inside of the post to hand the Bards a reprieve.
The Bards pushed for an equaliser only for frustrations to boil over in injury time as Lafferty received a straight red card following a challenge on Ben Hunter.
Stratford are next in action against Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday, January 27 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
