Stamford AFC beat Biggleswade Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central

James Blunden bagged a brace as Stamford secured three points from their Southern League trip to Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night.

The defender scored twice in the second period of the Premier Division Central clash to end a run of three games without a win for the Daniels.

The victory moved Graham Drury's seventh-placed side to within four points of the play-off spots after a hard-fought success over their bottom-of-the-table hosts.

The Stamford manager said: "It was a tough game and Biggleswade are really having a go.

"I've got to give them a lot of credit because they're big and strong and throw the ball into the box to make you defend.

"They're strong at the back and we were guilty of missing some chances in the first half.

"We were good on the night though and the lads were outstanding.

"We were good all over the pitch and it was a strong, aggressive performance from us."

There had been a 15-minute delay to kick-off due to the late arrival of the home goalkeeper which left Drury 'gobsmacked' by the decision.

But the longer-than-expected wait fuelled Stamford who started strongly with both Jack Duffy and Kai Tonge going close early on.

Tonge then released Duffy who was denied in a one-on-one with home custodian Jayden Peglar as the opening period finished goalless.

However, within two minutes of the restart, Stamford had taken the lead when Blunden converted from a Connor Bartle corner.

Josh Steele twice went close with headers for the home side while Stamford delivered a number of dangerous crosses into the Waders' penalty area with the final touch proving elusive.

They got the crucial second goal with 11 minutes remaining as Peglar palmed Bartle's ball into the path of Blunden who drove home his finish to double Stamford's lead.

Biggleswade had one final chance to halve the deficit in injury-time when they were awarded a penalty but Stamford goalkeeper Tom Jackson kept out the spot kick from Charlie Briggs to ensure a clean sheet.

Stamford are in action again tonight (Thursday) when they travel to Cleethorpes Town in the semi-final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup.