Stamford AFC beat St Ives Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central
Stamford completed back-to-back home wins with a 2-1 success against St Ives at the Zeeco Stadium on Tuesday night.
An early goal from Richard Gregory gave Stamford a first half advantage in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.
Although skipper Rob Morgan saw a penalty saved early in the second half, Billy Bennett added the second Stamford goal shortly to maintain the Daniels' lofty place in the league standings despite a late effort from the visitors.
Manager Graham Drury made three changes to the starting line-up from Saturday's win over Bromsgrove Sporting with Billy Bennett, Ashton Offler and Tobias Liversidge all coming into the team for Connor Bartle, Joe Burgess, Will Glennon.
Offler has returned to the Stamford ranks from National League North side Rushall Olympic while fellow new recruit George Hobbins was named on the substitutes' bench.
It took Stamford less than 90 seconds to take the lead as a fine pass from Billy Bennett released Lee Shaw and he pulled the ball back for Gregory to arrow a first time finish past Daniel Wilks in the St Ives goal.
The opening goal was to prove to be the only real clear-cut chance of the first half despite both sides peppering each other's goal.
Charlie Marzano and Offler made vital blocks to keep the Saints at bay while some promising Stamford moves failed to come to fruition.
Shaw and Liversidge linked well with the former's cross just evading the incoming Gregory at the back post.
Chitiza and Gregory then joined forces to create an opening for Rob Morgan whose low shot was safely gathered by Wilks.
Home goalkeeper Tom Jackson was then forced into a brave save to deny St Ives from a setpiece which looked to be their biggest attacking threat in the first half as Stamford went into the break a goal to the good.
The Daniels had a great chance to double their advantage seven minutes after the break when Gregory went down in the box and, after a long consultation with his assistant, the match official pointed to the spot.
Morgan stepped up to take the penalty and, although he fired his effort towards the bottom corner, Wilks was down superbly to save.
The wait for the second goal wasn't much longer though as Stamford doubled their lead in the 56th minute.
Tendai Chitiza burst down the right before finding Shaw who clipped the ball to the back post where Bennett rifled home a sweet finish.
Stamford were now buoyant and Shaw started and finished a move which brought a smart stop out of Wilks.
Chitiza led another lightning raid before finding Gregory whose hurried shot was smothered by Wilks.
Kymani Skyers sent a decent chance over the Stamford crossbar from the edge of the area as St Ives started to show more belief as the match entered the final 15 minutes.
Stamford had conceded a total of five goals in the second halves of their last two home games and Johnson Gyamfi set up a nervy finale when he drilled home a low shot for the visitors with just three minutes remaining.
The Daniels were then faced with eight minutes of stoppage time following the earlier lengthy discussion between the officials over the penalty award.
The visitors launched a number of high balls into the box with Jackson clutching a last-gasp corner as Stamford stood strong to secure a vital victory which maintains their lofty place in the league standings.
Stamford: Jackson, Marzano, Bennett (Hobbins), Offler, Cooke, Blunden, Chitiza, Morgan, Gregory (Challinor), Shaw, Liversidge (Frew). Subs not used: Redfern, Butterfill.
Attendance: 326.
