STRATFORD Town saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end following back-to-back defeats against AFC Telford United and Redditch United respectively.
The Bards lost 2-1 late on against Telford at New Bucks Head following a defeat by the same scoreline at home to Redditch United at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The results mean Stratford sit ninth in the Southern League Premier Central table, three points outside of the play-off places.
Against Telford, the home side took the lead on 25 minutes when Dior Angus sent Callum Smith the wrong way from the penalty spot after the latter fouled the scorer in the box.
However, the Bards equalised on 53 minutes when Dan Lafferty tapped home after Brandon Hall could only parry Callum Ebanks’s initial effort.
Telford won the game six minutes from time when Byron Moore lobbed Smith from 40-yards out after the goalkeeper cleared the ball into the scorer’s path.
That came after the Bards lost by the same scoreline against Redditch to suffer their first defeat of the season.
Redditch broke the deadlock on 37 minutes when Johnny Johnston controlled Jaiden White’s inch-perfect pass and finished beyond Smith.
And the Reds doubled their lead seven minutes later as Johnston beat Bards goalkeeper Smith to a loose ball near the right touchline and found Alex Cameron who produced a fine finish to avoid a Stratford defender on the line.
The Bards halved the deficit two minutes from time when a short backpass saw Callum Ebanks touch the ball past Reds goalkeeper Adam Harrison who brought down the Bards striker in the box.
And Ebanks stepped up to score the resulting spot kick but it proved too little too late with the Bards unable to find an equaliser.
Stratford are next in action in the FA Cup against Worksop Town on Saturday, August 31 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
