STRATFORD Town suffered a 3-0 defeat away at Royston Town having now conceded three or more goals in their last three away matches.
The Bards were beaten by goals from Tom Newman, Isaac Galliford and Brandon Adams at Garden Walk Stadium.
And the result leaves Stratford in 12th place in the Southern League Premier Central table with mathematical safety now secured.
Cheltenham Town loanee Paul Field made his first start at right-back with Leicester City loanee Bailey Aisthorpe at left back.
And the Bards started brightly as Jack Storer came close to an opener when he was denied when one-on-one with the Royston goalkeeper before the loose ball was cleared to safety.
However, Royston took the lead on 16 minutes when Newman capitalised on some uncertainty in the Bards defence to whistle an effort past Liam O’Brien to open the scoring.
And the home side were given a penalty on 28 minutes when Brooklyn Ilunga was brought down by Harry Higginson as the referee changed his originial decision to award a free-kick and pointed to the spot after being surrounded and harassed by several Royston players.
Galliford duly converted from the spot to leave the Bards with a mountain to climb before the half hour mark.
And Royston put the game to bed on 65 minutes when substitute Adams found the net as Ian King’s young side were unable to find a way back into the match thereafter.
Stratford are next in action at home to St Ives Town on Saturday, April 16 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the Bards finish their season on Easter Monday (Monday, April 18) with a trip to Bromsgrove Sporting with kick-off at 3pm at the Victoria Ground.
