The Daniels were 2-0 winners after goals from Rob Morgan and Tendai Chitiza as they backed up Saturday's success at Harborough by keeping a second successive clean sheet.

Morgan's penalty late in the first half put the Daniels in control before Chitiza doubled the lead after the break to send Hitchin to a second consecutive loss.

The visitors had gone down to a 3-1 home reversal against Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday in their opening match after being reprieved from relegation following Coalville’s withdrawal from the league.

Stamford had started with an excellent 1-0 away win at Harborough and manager Graham Drury made just one change to his starting line-up with Jordon Cooke replacing Joe Burgess.

Stamford started the brighter of the two teams and Tendai Chitiza was presented with a good chance inside the opening five minutes. Two Hitchin defenders collided and Chitiza was played through, but his half-hit shot was saved at the second attempt by James Callan in the Hitchin goal.

Harry Vince then saw a well-struck shot deflected over the crossbar before Jack Duffy glanced a header narrowly wide of the far post.

Lewis Barker was unable to convert at the back post following a corner for Hitchin while Lewis Franklin saw a free kick easily gathered by Stamford goalkeeper Tom Jackson.

Stamford continued to look the stronger side but, as the first half wore on, clear-cut chances were at a premium.

Chitiza curled another effort just wide of the far post before the breakthrough arrived two minutes before half-time.

Charlie Marzano made a strong surge down the right and his cross appeared to catch the hand of a Hitchin defender in the box.

Captain Morgan stepped up to convert the spot kick which gave Stamford a deserved lead going into the break.
Hitchin looked for an instant way back into the contest after the break and it took a fine save from Stamford goalkeeper Tom Jackson to keep out a header from Coree Wilson from Alex Kpakpe's cross.

It was to prove a crucial stop as Stamford pretty much went straight down the other end and Chitiza created space for an opening to slot his finish past Callan.

Substitute Tobias Liversidge should have made it three moments later with his first touch as the ball fell into his path from Chitiza's back post header, but he shot straight at Callan in the Hitchin goal.

There was then a scare for the home side as the match entered the last 20 minutes when goalkeeper Jackson missed a back pass but scrambled back to drag the ball off his line.