Bishop’s Stortford dropped into the relegation zone after losing 4-1 at Anstey Nomads on Saturday (October 31).

The Blues suffered a sixth defeat in seven Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central matches to fall to 19th.

They will be aiming to rise from fourth from bottom when they entertain 14th-placed Stratford Town this Saturday (November 7).

Stortford manager Steve Smith handed debuts to Ukrainian centre-half Kiril Halenin, who has arrived from Potters Bar Town, and striker Samuel Ayolie, who has joined on a work experience loan from Stevenage.

They were without loanee Alfie Wellens, however, after the young midfielder was recalled by Leyton Orient.

The Leicestershire-based hosts, who sit ninth, had early chances as Tendai Chitiza and Oscar Tonge were both denied by goalkeeper Calum Barnes.

Tonge was also thwarted by the post after Blues captain Jake Thompson had headed wide from Aaron Powell’s corner at the other end.

The Nomads broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Tobias Liversidge arrived on the edge of the box to fire home from a left-wing cut back.

Nomads shot-stopper Harley Price prevented Jack Smith equalising by diving to his left to keep out a free kick.

Things got worse for the visitors when Halenin was penalised for a foul in the box and Chitiza converted the spot kick.

The Blues halved the deficit nine minutes after the restart as half-time substitute Aaron Greene’s low ball into the box was deflected into his own net by Harvey Kirby-Moore from close range.

Stortford had opportunities to equalise as Smith over the bar, Dylan Colletti - who replaced Halenin at the break - had a low shot saved by Price and Powell also saw a curling right-footed effort palmed behind by the goalkeeper.

The visitors kept themselves in the game when the diving Scott Simmons headed Chitiza’s shot off the line.

But the home side did restore their two-goal cushion in the 79th minute as Kirby-Moore converted a low cross into the box.

And the Nomads wrapped up the points five minutes later when Powell’s clearance deflected off shot-stopper Barnes into his own net.

Anstey Nomads: Price, Hartmann, Wauchope (Wright 46), Omoregbee (booked 74, Bouch 84), Gibbens, Liversidge (booked 54), Bastos (Gill 67), Bestwick, Kirby-Moore, Chitiza (Smith 85), Tonge. Not used: Grantham.

Blues: Barnes, Powell, Barton, Thompson, Halenin (booked 43, Colletti 46), Titchmarsh, Norris (Chukwu-Nsofor 71, booked 90+1), Ayolie, Virciglio (Greene 46), Smith (Njie 77), Simmons (Haines 82).

Attendance: 289.