STRATFORD Town dropped out of the play-off places after the Bards suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bromsgrove Sporting.
A late goal from Tyrell Hamilton kept the home side in the game after Billy Shaw and Nathan Blissett put the Rouslers in command at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the result means Stratford sit seventh in the Southern League Premier Central table, one point outside of the play-off places with one game left to play.
The Rouslers made a strong start as Shaw fired straight at Stratford goalkeeper Callum Smith early on.
However, Sporting broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Shaw curled a shot into the bottom corner from Aaron Roberts’ long pass.
Rouslers goalkeeper Ollie Taylor then made a smart save to keep out Lewis Ludford-Ison’s effort.
However, Sporting doubled their lead on 53 minutes as Blissett produced a clinical finish after Shaw flicked on another Roberts’ pass into the striker’s path.
The home side responded with chances of their own as Ison headed over the bar and Andre Landell shot straight at Taylor.
Taylor then produced a stunning save to keep Sporting’s two-goal lead intact before he comfortably held Hamilton’s audacious lob from distance.
Stratford eventually reduced the deficit in the final minute of regulation time with Taylor unable to keep out Hamilton’s effort which Ison shepherded over the line.
And the Bards spurned a glorious chance to equalise in injury time as Jack Storer headed the ball straight into the arms of Taylor when well-placed in the box.
Stratford finish the season away at Royston Town on Saturday, April 27 with kick-off at 3pm at Garden Walk.
