Bedford Town 3

Bishop's Stortford 1

(Ryman League division one)

POOR finishing cost Bishop's Stortford dearly on Saturday as they outplayed division one favourites Bedford Town on their own patch on Saturday but still lost 3-1.

A healthy crowd of 659, including Peterborough manager Barry Fry, witnessed the game.

In the opening minute, Vinnie John was set free but he pulled his shot just wide of the far post.

Stortford continued to dominate and Trevor Paul fed Glen Southam whose 15-yard chip was tipped over by Heeps in the Bedford goal.

Two minutes before the interval, Micky Desborough made an excellent stop to foil Carl Drew.

The second period continued with almost constant pressure from the visitors, but John and Paul spurned two more chances.

Bedford took the lead on 55 minutes as a cross from the right was headed past Desborough by Eddie Lawley.

John and Paul missed further opportunities which they would usually knock in for fun.

The misses were punished by clinical Bedford who extended their lead on 64 minutes when Paul Turner hit home an unstoppable 30-yarder.

Stortford reduced their arrears four minutes later when Troy Braham's pass found Paul who held off two defenders to slot past Heeps.

The Blues pushed for an equaliser but Wayne Dyer wrapped up the points for the home side.

Stortford boss Martin Hayes said: "We showed lots of desire and commitment but poor finishing let us down.

"We still feel we have the best side in the division and we are playing with lots of confidence."

Stortford travel to Bromley on Saturday. The Blues have signed winger Andrew Salako from Croydon.

STORTFORD: Desborough, Risley, Kimble (sub: Endersby 88min), Taylor, Fannon, Kyriacou, Hercules (sub: Salako 64), Southam, John (sub: Hayes 77), Paul, Braham.