Stourbridge 1, Stamford AFC 1

STOURBRIDGE slipped further off the play-off places after being well held by stubborn visitors Stamford, writes Nick Pullen.

Glassboys boss Gary Hackett boosted his line-up by bringing in one-time Coventry City prospect Aron Wint, the striker having more recently featured for Conference North clubs Solihull Moors and Leamington.

The Glassboys grabbed a gifted lead after 28 minutes when the alert Drew Canvan intercepted a weak back-pass by Stamford's giant central defender Thomas Batchelor.

Canavan then kept his cool to round stranded goalkeeper Andy Stevens but his shot was then dramatically blocked on the line by full back Ryan Clarke - who couldn't prevent the ball from rebounding back out to Canavan who made no mistake at the second attempt.

In truth, the goal was a rare highlight in an otherwise forgettable first half.

But it was Stamford who stepped up the pace after half time and gradually began to pile on the pressure.

They were duly rewarded on 66 minutes when Danny Clements broke clear down the right and set up the chance for skipper Jordan Smith to smash home past goalkeeper Dean Coleman in spectacular style.

Stamford should have gone onto seal all the points on 78 minutes when substitute Courtney Meade escaped the attentions of the Stourbridge defence but then blazed hopelessly wide with only Coleman to beat.

It was a real let off for Stourbridge who did manage to raise their game in the closing moments, but without success.

Stamford's Tom McGowan crudely chopped down Chris Knight when in full flow on goal. But from the resulting free kick which was close to the edge of the area, Canavan's low raking shot was well held by Stamford shot-stopper Stevens with five minutes remaining.

In a belated Stourbridge flurry on goal, substitute Junior Smikle blasted the ball the wrong side of the post on 88 minutes.

Moments later, Stevens got down well to cut out a dangerous Smikle cross.

Then in stoppage time, the brave Stevens did well to grasp the ball at Smikle's feet after the Stourbridge sub had threatened to run clean through.

Equally disappointing for Stourbridge was the size of the crowd - just 206.

Stourbridge: Coleman; Richards, Quaynor, Williams, Brown (Smikle 73), Miles, Connelly, Broadhurst (Morgan-Parker 84), Wint (Smikle 73), Canavan, Knight.. Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Hales.