STRATFORD TOWN suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat away at Needham Market as their six-game unbeaten run came to an end at Bloomfields.
The Bards conceded four goals in a league match for the first time since November with Leroy Lita grabbing a consolation for the visitors in injury time.
And the result leaves Stratford in 13th place in the Southern League Premier Central table, nine points clear of the relegation zone.
The Bards started well and should have taken the lead when Lita headed over from close range after just five minutes.
However, Stratford were unable to make their dominance count and Needham went in front on 36 minutes when Luke Ingram slotted past Bards goalkeeper Liam O’Brien.
And the home side struck again within 40 seconds of the restart in the second period when Noah Collard found the net following a quick break up field.
Things became worse for Stratford when Harvey Sayer added a third Needham goal on 65 minutes after he was left unchallenged to drive an effort across O’Brien and into the net.
And the home side completed the rout on 77 minutes when Ben Fowkes scored Needham’s fourth of the afternoon before Lita scored a consolation in stoppage time when he found the corner after creating space in the box.
Stratford are next in action away at Hednesford Town on Saturday, March 5 with kick-off at 3pm at Keys Park.
