YATE Town had a night to forget at league leaders Stratford on Tuesday.

A fourth loss in five games for the Bluebells was made worse with five key players picking up injuries, all of whom are rated doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Didcot Town.

Ross Staley (shoulder), Bradley Abraham (thigh), Joe Chandler (knee), Dale Evans (bruised shin), and James Harmer (hamstring) will all be assessed at training tonight.

Yate made a slow start to the game before finding their feet and arguably should have taken the lead.

Andy Lewis fluffed his lines when Dale Evans’ free kick reached him, while Joe Chandler failed to hit the target with a header.

Sloppy defending led to Stratford’s opening goal on 20 minutes as Loyiso Recci was allowed to head home Simeon Tulloch’s cross.

Stratford doubled their lead four minutes into the second half when Tulloch’s shot took a wicked deflection off substitute Jake Cox and wrong-footed goalkeeper Martin Horsell.

With Yate chasing the game, Stratford added a third on the counter attack with five minutes remaining when Tyrone Fagan fired in to wrap up their seventh league win in a row.

Yate boss Rob Cousins said: “They’re a very good side – strong, powerful and quick – and you can see why they are top of the league.

“They are the best team we’ve played so far. I wouldn’t say they had any outstanding players but as a team they were very strong and worked hard.

"Some players we normally rely on didn’t perform.”

Cousins hopes to add a new face ahead of the weekend with an experienced Southern League striker thought to be at the top of his wish list.

Yate Town: Horsell (c), Tippins, Staley (Cox 14), Chandler, Lewis, Abraham, Harmer, Evans, Warren, Haldane (Jackson, 68), Ricketts (Felix, 68). Subs not used: Meaker, Fletcher.