Gregory's late penalty sinks Saints

Saints, who looked a rejuvenated side following the recent resignation of former boss David Batch, suffered an early setback when Ryan Hawkins was stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle.

And it got worse for the injury-hit visitors as Town took a deserved early lead through Gregory on 16 minutes.

Goalkeeper Andy Kemp launched a free-kick into the box, it deflected off a Saints defender before Gregory headed it over Andy Wilton and into the net.

The goal seemed to act as a wake-up call for the visitors, who enjoyed some sustained periods of pressure without having anything to show for it.

Town then missed a glorious chance to double their lead. Tyrone Fagan's perfect pass put it on a plate for the on-rushing Simeon Tulloch, who fluffed his shot before Wilton scrambled it away.

Just minutes later, Saints made Town pay as they got back on level terms when top-scorer Tom Meecham headed home a pinpoint cross.

Town were under more pressure at the start of the second half and only a superb stop from Kemp denied Lee Clarke from close range.

Stratford continued to have more of the guilt-edged chances though and on 72 minutes they had another.

Fagan, who enjoyed an excellent game up front, saw his testing cross punched away by Wilton.

The ball ended up at the feet of substitute Dior Angus, whose shot struck the inside of the post before Saints cleared the danger.

The game’s key moment came in the 85th minute. Jack Roberts' teasing through-ball through to Fagan saw the big striker upended in the box by Wilton. The referee, after a brief pause, awarded Town the spot-kick.

Gregory rifled home the penalty with aplomb to hand Town victory in their first home game of 2016.

Full report, reaction and more pictures in this week’s Herald