Wantage Town’s battle against relegation from Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West continued as they were beaten 3-0 at home by play-off chasers Stratford Town at Alfredian Park on Saturday.

Defeat keeps Daniel Barry’s side eight points from the drop zone.

The scoreline would have been more comprehensive, but for a super display from keeper Gareth Tucker.

Kevin Charley put Stratford ahead on 15 minutes when he brilliantly lobbed Tucker from 25 yards.

Moments later, Tucker pushed away a low drive from Charley.

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Wantage almost levelled when Sam Barder’s cross found Karl Roberts whose header was saved by Andy Kemp in the Stratford goal.

Two minutes from half-time, Tucker somehow diverted Hallsall’s shot up and over the bar.

But he was beaten when Stratford made it 2-0 on 73 minutes.

Rob Thompson-Brown’s corner caught in the wind before drifting over Tucker.

Wantage’s Reece Bayliss blasted a shot straight at Kemp, while at the other end, Tucker denied Chris Sterling.

The home side’s misery was sealed in injury time when Michael Bird fired in a penalty for Stratford’s third after being felled.

Wantage Tn: Tucker, Barder, Lovegrove, Cattell, Bird, Glover, Bayliss, Whiting, Shaw (Timbrell 58), Whitehead, Reid (Roberts 12). Subs not used: Davies, Hulbert-Thomas, Barton.

Ref: A Gillett Attendance: 61.