Stamford AFC lose to Harborough Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central
Stamford saw an injury-time penalty saved as two goals in eight second half minutes sent the Daniels to defeat against Harborough Town on Saturday.
Graham Drury's side had led at the break following a first half goal from Rob Morgan in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.
However, they lost in-form frontman Jack Duffy to injury in the build-up to the goal and Harborough took advantage with a second half double to take the points.
Stamford could still have salvaged a point when they were handed an injury-time lifeline after being awarded a penalty but Tobias Liversidge’s spot kick was saved by Elliot Taylor.
Boss Drury had made just one change to his Stamford starting line-up following the weekend win at Stourbridge with Lee Shaw coming in for Jon Challinor.
Harborough had defeated league leaders Kettering on New Year's Day while Stamford's match at Biggleswade was postponed.
The visitors were without two-goal Ben Stephens from their success over the Poppies and had a pair of former Stamford players on the substitutes' bench in Paul Malone and Rhys Hilton.
Stamford created the first chance of the game after just three minutes as Lee Shaw set up Duffy whose close range shot was brilliantly blocked by Taylor in the Harborough goal.
The Bees responded with Luis Rose seeing a shot blocked by Jordon Cooke after a sharp turn in the area while Connor Kennedy sent a free header straight at home goalkeeper Tom Jackson.
Stamford then struck the opening goal in the 20th minute after a swift attacking move that was finished off by Morgan.
Duffy set the raid up with a deft flick to Liversidge whose back post cross picked out Stamford's top scorer.
Taylor produced an excellent save to deny Duffy but Morgan reacted first to sweep home the rebound and give Stamford the lead.
Duffy, though, was injured in the attack and had to be replaced by Tendai Chitiza with Harborough then creating the better chances in their bid to find an equaliser.
Amar Sandhu sent a shot just over after a jinking run from Jutorre Burgess while a fierce shot from Riley O'Sullivan was repelled by Jackson.
O'Sullivan sent another effort just wide before Ben Starkie smashed a shot wide as Stamford took the lead into the break.
Jutorre Burgess tested Jackson in the early stages of the second half while Hobbins stung the hands of Taylor at the other end.
Liversidge flashed a header wide from a Shaw cross before Harborough grabbed an equaliser seven minutes into the second period.
Centre-half Alex Morris made a surging run down the left and his low cross was tapped home by Jutorre Burgess.
Stamford switched their formation and Harborough looked to take advantage as O'Sullivan's low cross just evaded Rose.
The visitors then took a 58th minute lead as Jutorre Burgess' low cross was turned into his own net by Stamford centre-half Ashton Offler.
Rose fired a shot into the side-netting as Harborough looked to put the contest beyond the Daniels who mounted a late charge for a leveller.
Charlie Marzano saw a shot saved by Taylor before a teasing cross from the full-back was scrambled clear by the visitors before the dramatic finale unfolded.
A corner was cleared towards the edge of the box and then thumped goalwards where a Harborough player blocked the goalbound drive.
It sparked fervent appeals for a penalty for hand-ball and, following a consultation with his assistant, referee Zach Cunnington eventually pointed to the spot.
Liversidge had scored a penalty in the weekend win at Stourbridge but Taylor went the right way to keep out his effort.
The ball did rebound favourably for the Stamford attacker but, instead of heading hone, he waited too long and Harborough were able to scramble clear in the final action of an entertaining game.
Stamford: Jackson, Marzano, Bartle (Bennett), Hobbins (Butterfill), Cooke, Offler, Liversidge, Morgan, Duffy (Chitiza), Shaw (Challinor), Burgess (Frew).
Attendance: 558.
