Real Bedford continued their step three resurgence after a 3-1 victory over Stourbridge in Southern League Premier Central on Tuesday night at the Ledger Stadium.
Goals for Archie Jones, Josh Setchell and a welcome late settler for the returning Joey Evans was enough to topple Stourbridge, who continue to linger in the relegation zone.
For Real, they enter the step three play-off places for the first time this season as their good run of recent form continues.
Unlike their opponents, Stourbridge came into this game in dreadful form, having not won since 6 September, and despite a late first half equaliser that saw them level at the break, that was not to change as the Pirates hit back twice in the second period.
The visitors started the better; Jai Verma curling just wide of McGregor’s upright, while Blaine Rowe caused the Real defence a few early problems, but it would be the hosts who would take the lead with the half hour mark approaching.
Josh Allen, who has been goalscorer-in-chief in recent weeks, turned provider as his run deep into Stourbridge territory allowed him to slot it across the face of goal where Archie Jones was on hand to tap home.
That lead lasted just ten minutes, as Stourbridge hit back seven minutes before the interval as Joe Hull headed home a Rowe corner to restore parity at the break.
Evans returns to the goalscoring charts
Late efforts from Ben Stevens and Conor Tee; the former being a deflected effort that the Stourbridge keeper Charlie Price did excellently to keep out, could have seen Real ahead before the half-time whistle, but by the hour mark, Real would regain their lead.
It was a smart move down the Real left channel, and while Allen gained another assist, it was Josh Setchell who slid home to scramble in what would turn out to be the game’s winning goal.
Further chances fell to Allen, Stevens and Elliot Simmons all to no avail, while Stourbridge’s second half efforts were restricted to snap shots from distance as they fell away meekly.
Salt was rubbed into the visitors’ wounds late on when Shay Willock was sent off for two yellow card offences, and the extra man allowed Real Bedford to put the game to bed thanks to a familiar face.
Joey Evans has been out injured recently, but made a return from the bench late on and it took him a matter of minutes to make his mark on the game as he tapped home an inch perfect cross from Ben Weyman to make it 3-1, and seal another three points for Rob Sinclair’s team.
League action takes a back seat this coming weekend, as Real Bedford host Ashford United in the first round of the FA Trophy, before travelling to mid-table, Stratford on the first day of November.
