STRATFORD Town slipped to a third successive 1-0 defeat on the road after losing by a single goal away at Real Bedford.
The Bards succumbed to Conor Tee’s second-half goal at the Ledger Stadium to remain winless on the road since the turn of the year.
And the result means Stratford sit 12th in the Southern League Premier Central table, eight points outside of the play-off places.
The Bards frustrated promotion-chasing Bedford in the first half and limited the hosts to few clear-cut chances.
And the away side’s best openings of the first period saw Jourdain Masidi force Craig King into an awkward save while the shot-stopper also held Lamine Sherif’s effort from distance.
Stratford also lost captain Paul McCone to injury at the break with the skipper’s 150th appearance for the club cut short.
The Bards thought they had taken the lead five minutes after the interval only for Joshua Toluwaloju to see his header ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
And Bedford made the most of this reprieve to score the game’s only goal on 56 minutes when Tee tapped home Archie Jones’ cross from close range.
Stratford are next in action against Harborough Town on Saturday, February 21 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
