Kings Langley put further daylight between themselves and the Southern League Premier Central Division drop zone as they came from behind to win 2-1 at fellow basement battlers Stratford Town against the backdrop of an emotionally charged atmosphere generated by the tragic passing of Cody Fisher, whose young life was so cruelly cut short on Boxing Day.

The hosts had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Chris Winton's men pulled level with 11 minutes remaining through Andronicus Georgiou before substitute Ken Feyi capped his return to the club by netting the winner with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Almost 1,000 people turned out for the first match Stratford had played since Fisher was stabbed to death in a Birmingham nightclub on Boxing Day. Schoolchildren formed a guard of honour and there was also a minute's silence in tribute to the defender followed by one of applause in the 23rd minute, matching the player's squad number.

The conditions restricted both side’s natural inclination to a passing game and neither could achieve any attacking momentum early on. The first meaningful action was not until the 18th minute when Kings’ regular nemesis Mike Taylor burst clear of the defence only to be thwarted by Ryan Case at the expense of both a free-kick and a caution for the defender.

As the half wore on, amid sheeting rain, the home side gradually gained the initiative with Andre Wright a consistent threat on the right. It was his low cross which found Will Dawes, but the forward skied his close-in attempt. During thisperiod Kings could only muster a headed effort by James Kaloczi after good work by Jacob Gardiner-Smith.

It looked like the half would remain goalless but in added time Josh Hawker’s hopeful punt forward took on the properties of a guided missile as it arced unerringly into the top corner despite Jack Berman’s athletic attempts to keep it out.

It could have been even worse for Kings, as almost from the kick off a half clearance was met by the inrushing Hamilton Dunga whose ferocious drive clipped the bar before going over. That heralded the end of the half and time for a much needed reorganisation.

The introduction of Feyi, on his return to the club, certainly added some potency to the attack and Kings were soon stretching the Bards’ defence. The visitors thought they had forced a golden opportunity for parity when Georgiou’s deft pass put Isaac Galliford away but as the nimble midfielder surged into the box, he was unceremoniously bundled over for what looked a certain penalty.

Those claims were quickly waived away and the Bards’ custodian Liam O’Brien quickly executed a drop out that put the fleet-footed Jesse Akubuine clean through with only Berman to beat. Not for the first time this season, the custodian proved to be the saviour, pulling off an outstanding save.

That proved to be a pivotal moment, as with just over ten minutes remaining Georgiou took a short pass from Case, eluded two defenders and unleashed a fierce drive which, though blocked, rebounded to him. This time the skilful midfielder’s accurate low drive beat O’Brien’s despairing dive to bring Kings level and set up a tantalising last ten minutes.

As both teams went all out to win it, once again it was Berman to the fore, racing from goal to bravely prevent a certain score.

However, it was Feyi who featured most prominently in the frantic finale when he latched onto Kaloczi’s flicked header, swivelled in the box and rammed home an unstoppable shot to send the visiting faithful into raptures.

Kings managed the final few minutes without too much anxiety to record an important victory on a poignant day that football mourned the loss of one of its own.