Nahum Melvin-Lambert heads in added-time winner as Bishop’s Stortford beat Hitchin Town 3-2 in Southern League Premier Central

Nahum Melvin-Lambert headed in an added-time winner as Bishop’s Stortford beat Hitchin Town 3-2 at home in Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central on Saturday (March 8).

The striker’s second goal of the game earned the Blues, who twice came from behind, a massive three points against their relegation rivals at the RDA Stadium.

Stortford are now eight points above the drop zone in 14th place while the Canaries remain second from bottom, four points adrift of safety.

Steve Castle’s side’s next assignment is a trip to 10th-placed Stourbridge this Saturday (March 15).

The visitors took a third-minute lead when Fabio Virciglio fouled Rio Deall in the box and Daniel Stokoe beat goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi from the penalty spot.

The hosts drew level just 10 minutes later when Rashawn Scott’s low cut back was converted at the near post by Melvin-Lambert.

Stortford had chances to go ahead as Jake Thompson missed the target with a volley and Scott was also off target having raced through on goal.

But, two minutes before the break, the Canaries went back ahead as Lewis Franklin dribbled into the box and found the bottom corner.

The Blues drew level once more with an hour gone when skipper Thompson netted his first home goal for the club by brilliantly controlling Cole Dasilva’s and swivelling to fire past Joshua Mollison on the half-volley.

Scott went close for Stortford when he shot into the side-netting before a Hitchin counter-attack resulted in Bradley Bell shooting straight at Krasniqi.

It looked as though it would end all square, but, in the fourth minute of added time, Melvin-Lambert rose highest to convert Dasilva’s free kick with a bullet header.

The match also saw Noah Freeman make his Stortford debut as a 70th-minute substitute after joining from Sky Bet League One side Peterborough United on a work experience loan until the end of the season.

Blues: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Warner-Eley (Freeman 70, booked 75), Oluwatimilehin (Russell 59), Thompson, Haines, Melvin-Lambert, Scott (booked 6, Ogwuazor 90+6), Chalwell (Cohen 70, booked 90+1), Amu, Virciglio (Evans 59).

Hitchin Town: Mollison, Franklin (Dixon-Smith 88), Ekongo, Syme, Odell Bature, Jones, Deall (Bell 59), Gleeson (booked 58, Heaps 76), Stokoe (Tearle 80), Brooks (Smith 85), Titchmarsh.

Attendance: 577.