STRATFORD Town saw their four-game winning run come to an end following a disappointing 3-0 home defeat against play-off rivals AFC Telford United.
The Bards fell behind to Ricardo Dinanga’s early goal before Ellis Brown and Matthew Stenson completed the scoring in injury time at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the result means Stratford drop to sixth in the Southern League Premier League table, two points behind Telford who now occupy the final play-off place.
Telford broke the deadlock after just three minutes when Bards goalkeeper Callum Smith inexplicably dropped a free-kick and Dinanga pounced to open the scoring despite the best efforts of Paul McCone.
The Bards almost drew level soon after as Telford goalkeeper Brandon Hall made a smart save to keep out Callum Ebanks’ header from Alex Worsley’s cross.
And Ebanks went close again on the stroke of half time when he chased a long pass and lobbed the ball over Hall only for Orrin Pendley to clear the striker’s effort to safety.
The home side struggled in the second period as Telford substitute Byron Moore hit the bar before Dinanga spurned a glorious chance to double the visitors lead.
And the Bucks missed further opportunities to extend their lead before Brown sealed the points for Telford two minutes into added time.
Telford added some gloss to the scoreline three minutes later when Stenson finished into an empty net as the Bards lost for the first time since the turn of the year.
Stratford are next in action away at St Ives Town on Saturday, February 24 with kick-off at 3pm at Westwood Road.
