STRATFORD Town claimed a shock 3-1 win away at Spalding United to end the home side’s title hopes in the process.
A brace from Lewis Ludford-Ison twice put the Bards ahead before Charlie Wragg sealed the points for Stratford at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
The result means the Bards sit 10th in the Southern League Premier Central table, six points outside of the play-off places with two matches left to play.
Spalding went close in the opening few minutes as Bartosz Cybulski hit the post to give the Bards an early wake-up call.
And Stratford stunned the home side on nine minutes as Ludford-Ison curled a free-kick into the net from the edge of the penalty area following a foul on Dan Lafferty.
However, Spalding restored parity less than a minute later when Ben Fowkes slotted the ball past Jake Weaver to equalise for the home side.
The Bards responded well to the setback as Fin Brennan ran with the ball for 50-yards before Owen James saw his shot saved by Spalding goalkeeper Dan Wilks.
Weaves rushed off his line to deny Spalding in two one-on-one chances after the break to keep the scores level.
And Stratford reclaimed the lead on 52 minutes when Ludford-Ison finished off a well-worked corner routine to score his second goal of the game.
The Bards went further ahead on 68 minutes as Wragg cut in from the left and drove a shot into the far corner of the net to leave the home side stunned.
However, Stratford stood firm to end Spalding’s title chances with Harborough Town crowned champions.
Stratford are next in action against Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday, April 18 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium in the club’s final home game of the season.
