Lees piles on the anguish for Daniels

The Daniels made the long trip in the knowledge that a win could see them jump up five places in the table and everything seemed to be going to plan when Jordan Smith pounced on an underhit backpass to round Jon Brain in the Stafford goal and slide the ball home.

But, with 15 minutes to go, three substitutions breathed new life into Stafford and, when replacement Jack Lees surged into the Stamford box, his cross was sliced into his own goal by skipper Richard Jones. Just five minutes later and Lees turned the match on its head as he raced through to hammer past Alex Lynch.

The match wasn’t one for the purists it was littered with errors as possession was surrendered easily by both sides.

Stamford, who were without star performers Shawn Richards and Ryan Robbins, both unavailable, could have been ahead as early as the first minute. Richard Wesley, using his pace and skill to create a shooting chance, fizzed his effort through Smith’s legs and deceived Brain only to see the shot cleared off the line. Wesley then saw his follow up blocked by a defender and away for a corner.

Lynch, at the other end, was at full stretch to divert a rasping drive from Daniel Cope over the bar. Back at the other end, Dan Lawlor, a bright performer for Stamford on the night, saw his powerful volley saved by Brain. Alvin Jarvis then had his back post header well saved.

Stafford were presented with the best chance to take the lead after they got in behind the Daniels defence and, as the ball was played across goal, the effort was hit clear over the bar with the goal at the Stafford player's mercy.

Stafford were equally generous at the other end as former Hednesford player Jermaine Johnson under hit his backpass and Smith kept his cool to put Daniels in the lead.

Stamford started the second half brightly. Jon Challinor saw his long distance effort comfortably saved by Brain who then did very well to keep out a low shot from Wesley. But that was as good as it got for Stamford in the second half.

Stafford grew into the half and the substitutions made by Andy Mutch injected pace into the Stafford attack with Lees, in particular, a constant threat. The equaliser came through his industry and then he sealed the win. In between, Ashley Robinson had a great chance to restore the Stamford lead but his effort was just the wrong side of a post.

At 2-1 down Stamford rarely threatened the Stafford goal and at time struggled to get out of their own half.

The result leaves them in the bottom four before they face one of the biggest games in the club’s history as they look to make the FA Cup first round proper on Saturday when Conference North leaders Hednesford visit Kettering Road.

STAFFORD: Jon Brain, Michael Carr, Oliver Davies, Paris Bateman, Darren Bullock, Jermaine Johnson, James McCarthy (Joe Guest), Jon Sheldon, Danny Quinn (Jack Lees), Edward Toner (Alex Steadman), Daniel Cope. SUBS Not Used: Sam Bell and Sean Kinsella.

STAMFORD: Alex Lynch, Luke Blakely (David Staff), Nathan Haines, Alvin Jarvis, Richard Jones, Ashley Robinson, Dan Lawlor (Andy Burgess), Jon Challinor, Jordan Smith, David Moyo, Richard Wesley (Liam Richardson). SUB not used: Ben Barton

Attendance: 246