The moment that encapsulated Stratford's afternoon came when a throw-in bounced through the Alfrerton six-yard box and Kevin Bastos, arriving at the back post, had the simplest of finishes — a tap-in that brought audible relief from the travelling support and confirmed what the first half's discipline had set up.

A clever pre-match decision shaped the afternoon: Stratford won the toss and chose to defend the slope in the first half, denying Alfreton the downhill advantage they prefer for the opening period, and freeing the Bards to use it themselves after the break. The tactic paid immediate dividends — Kevin Bastos tapped in from a yard at the back post barely a minute into the second half to double the lead and effectively settle the tie. Alpherton pushed hard through the closing stages but could not find a way through a defence that held firm.

Alfreton applied sustained pressure in the final ten minutes, winning a succession of corners and free kicks around the Bards' box, but Stratford defended their lines without serious alarm and saw out seven minutes of added time with composure. Dan Lafferty, operating at right back — a position he had filled effectively the previous week — was prominent throughout, and Josh Hawker covered considerable ground before his late booking. The Bards now await the draw on Monday to learn their opponents in the next round, to be played in a fortnight.

Alpherton Town 0–2 Stratford Town · FA Cup · Alpherton Town FC ground