STRATFORD Town remain winless on the road this year after slipping to a 1-0 defeat away at Worcester City.
A second-half goal from Dan Sweeney settled the contest while the Bards had Kory Roberts sent off late on at Sixways Stadium.
The result means Stratford sit eighth in the Southern League Premier Central, four points outside of the play-off places.
City almost broke the deadlock in fortuitous fashion when Paul McCone’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Connor Stanley and trickled inches past the post.
At the other end, Sam Kane pushed Owen James’ dangerous cross from the right to safety before Worcester eventually cleared the danger.
Worcester almost scored directly from a corner later in the first half when a delivery from the left hit the outside of the post.
And Sweeney then just failed to turn home Josh Bailey’s low ball in from the left from close range as the cross evaded the striker.
City took the lead just one minute into the second half when Stratford failed to deal with a long throw into the box from the left and the ball bounced into the path of Sweeney who headed in from six-yards out.
However, Sweeney spurned a golden chance to double the home side’s lead when Luke Rowe’s interception fell into the path of the striker who fired wide when one-on-one from just outside the penalty area.
And Stratford had Roberts sent off in the final minute when he tripped Brandon Smalley on the edge of the box with the latter about to burst into the area.
From the resulting free-kick, Smalley curled a free-kick and around the wall and against the post as the Bards slipped to successive away defeats.
Stratford are next in action against Stamford on Saturday, February 7 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
