Stamford took a huge step towards safety with an emphatic win last night, while Boston United were left frustrated by a late equaliser despite an improved display.
Stamford’s recent upturn in form continued at exactly the right time, as they moved further clear of danger with a commanding 4-0 victory over Banbury United. Confidence had clearly been building, not least after back-to-back clean sheets, and that belief showed from the outset as they controlled proceedings for long spells.
There was a moment of concern around the quarter-hour mark when Banbury came close to converting a dangerous cross, but Stamford quickly reasserted themselves and carried the greater threat throughout the first half. Their pressure finally told just before the break, Burgess finding the net with a superb strike to give the hosts a deserved lead heading into half time.
With that advantage secured, Stamford played with greater freedom after the restart and began to turn their dominance into goals. Tonge doubled the lead on 58 minutes with a composed finish, and from there it became increasingly one-sided. Lobjoit added a third with another fine effort on 67 minutes before calmly converting from the penalty spot 10 minutes later, taking his tally for the season into double figures and wrapping up a comprehensive win in front of 432 supporters.
The result leaves Stamford six points clear of the relegation places with just two matches remaining. A trip to already relegated Royston Town comes next, before a final-day home fixture against champions Harborough, with only a single point now required to confirm survival.
Elsewhere, Spalding United secured second place and a guaranteed home tie in the play-offs after results elsewhere went in their favour, ensuring they cannot now be caught.
Boston United’s evening unfolded very differently, as they were denied victory at the death in a 1-1 draw with Wealdstone. Despite being safe, there was still plenty at stake for individuals looking to secure their futures, and manager Paul Hurst made three changes following the weekend win due to injury concerns.
United started brightly and thought they had taken the lead as early as the third minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The visitors responded well and controlled much of the opening period, but Boston gradually worked their way back into the contest and created opportunities of their own, with the game remaining goalless at the interval.
The second half was far more open, with both sides pushing forward, and the breakthrough eventually arrived on 67 minutes. Lennell John-Lewis was brought down inside the area, and Jacob Hazel stepped up to convert from the spot, giving Boston a deserved advantage.
Wealdstone pressed for an equaliser late on, and while Hazel thought he had sealed the points in stoppage time, his second goal was ruled out for another tight offside decision. That proved costly, as in the final moments of the match a deflected effort looped over the Boston goalkeeper to snatch an equaliser.
It was a frustrating end to the evening for Boston, who had looked set to claim all three points, but Hurst will at least take encouragement from a much-improved performance as the season draws to a close.