Stamford AFC beat Stourbridge in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Stamford completed a Southern League Premier Division Central double over play-off rivals Stourbridge with a two-goal away success on Saturday.

Goals from the in-form Jack Duffy and a Tobias Liversidge penalty helped secure the victory for the Daniels and maintain their push for a top five finish.

They now head into the New Year's Day match at Biggleswade Town just one point and one spot outside the play-offs with a game in hand on fifth-placed Stratford Town.

Manager Graham Drury made three changes to his starting line-up for the second game in 48 hours after the Boxing Day draw with Spalding.

Connor Bartle, Liversidge and Jon Challinor all came into the team for Billy Bennett, Tendai Chitiza and Lee Shaw.

The match was played in difficult conditions with visibility severely reduced due to fog.

The Daniels started on the front foot and Jordon Cooke fired a shot towards goal but it was straight at home custodian Callum Smith.

Stamford took the lead on 13 minutes when Duffy received the ball and he fired it across Smith and into the net.

The Stamford striker continued to pose plenty of problems for the home defence while Jordon Cooke had to be alert at the other end with a vital tackle to deny the hosts.

Stourbridge had a penalty appeal turned down eight minutes before the break when Vladimiro Granjal went down in the area under a Stamford challenge.

Jack Fletcher sent a header just wide of the Stamford goal with the Daniels defending well to repel a flurry of set pieces as the first half drew to a close.

Stourbridge continued to win corners as the second half got underway with Joel Kettle prodding an effort wide after a goalmouth scramble.

Stamford then doubled their lead in the 57th minute when the referee spotted some shirt pulling as Bartle was delivering a corner and Liversidge stepped up to convert the resultant penalty by sending the Stourbridge goalkeeper the wrong way.

The Daniels looked to put the game further beyond their hosts with a last-ditch tackle from Kettle denying the marauding Rob Morgan.

Morgan then found Duffy who fired a shot goalwards but his effort was deflected and it hit the crossbar and away from danger.

The hosts made four changes in quick succession in a bid to get back into the game but Stamford continued to stand strong at the back.

Despite some good Stourbridge build up play, the final ball was smothered by either the Daniels backline or some wayward finishing.

Martins Pais had a shot blocked by a determined Daniels defence while goalkeeper Tom Jackson was equal to an effort from Alex Jones.

Cooke made another timely intervention to thwart Jordaan Brown while Dominic Lewis flashed a late shot over the crossbar as Stamford secured an excellent away win.