Stamford AFC striker Jack Duffy gets a five-match suspension after his third sending off of the season

Even though their play-off destiny remains in their own hands, Stamford are going to have to overcome another major blow in a season of setbacks to land a coveted top five finish.

The fifth-placed Daniels have three matches remaining in the Southern League Premier Division Central to land a place in the end-the-season shoot-out.

However, they will be without top scorer and skipper Jack Duffy for the final three matches plus any play-off games.

The striker has been hit with a five-match suspension following his sending off in the 1-1 draw at play-off rivals Stratford Town on Saturday.

It was the third dismissal of the season for the Daniels' talisman who has missed a chunk of the season through suspension and injury.

Manager Graham Drury feels it is another obstacle for his side to overcome in a campaign where midfielders Joe Burgess and Harry Vince have been sidelined with season-ending injuries.

Key defender James Blunden - who will take on the captaincy in Duffy's absence - has also missed part of the season through injury while previous skipper Rob Morgan departed the club for promotion rivals Harborough.

Boss Drury said: "It's just unbelievable because we keep getting more hurdles thrown at us.

"We've lost another big player but these hurdles are there to be jumped and we've certainly got over a few this season.

"I'm sure all of the teams will be over the moon to see that Jack Duffy is unavailable but it gives other players the chance to step up to the mark.

"All credit to the dressing room, they've kept us in there and we ticked off another one on Saturday which keeps it in our hands.

"All I've said to the players before each game is to just make sure that the following game is worthwhile.

"It obviously means that we've got to get a result so, to make Monday worthwhile, we've got to get a result on Saturday."

Stamford have a double-header of fixtures over the Easter weekend as they look to cement their top five spot.

They host Banbury United on Saturday before making the short trip to Spalding United on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Daniels haven't been their free-scoring selves this season and face a Banbury side on Saturday who boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded just 36 goals in 39 games.

Drury added: "We've still got a tough task and Saturday will be a really tough game.

"It could be the toughest one of all three in a sense against a side that has kept 17 clean sheets this season.

"They want a top 10 finish and we have to score first - there is no doubt about that - because they are so hard to break down.

"Simon Hollyhead (Banbury manager) is a good tactician and is very organised in his play. He's a good manager who I have got on really well with this year.

"We have got a lot of mutual respect for each other and I'm expecting a really tough game."

Stamford go into the Easter fixtures on the back of last weekend's draw at Stratford Town where they finished the match with nine men.

Connor Bartle - who faces a one-game suspension - was sent off early in the second half before Duffy saw red late on.

The point against a play-off rival, coupled with results elsewhere going in their favour, leaves Stamford's fate in their own hands with Drury wanting to see a calm and collective response from his charges, including his management team.

He commented: "It was a fantastic point but I felt I needed to have a quiet word with my staff afterwards.

"They got involved in stuff which they didn't need to and all it does is set panic in the camp.

"We have to stay calm and collective and stick together and that's the only way that we're going to do it.

"It's a minor miracle for us to get in there with the teams we're playing, the results we've had against the top sides, but we're still in it and we're still going.

"We just need to take the heat out of it a little bit and not get too excited because what will happen will happen and we've just got to enjoy it."

After the Easter matches, Stamford finish their season with a home match against Halesowen Town on Saturday, April 26.