DROITWICH Spa saw their best-ever run in the FA Vase come to an end after conceding two late goals in a 4-2 defeat against Abbey Hulton United.
The Saltmen suffered a third round exit at the hands of the Staffordshire side after goals from Charlie Tilley and James Lemon put Spa ahead in the second half at Birches Head Road.
However, Abbey Hulton quickly drew level before a pair of late goals brought an end to Spa’s admirable run in the competition.
After a cagey opening to the game, Andy Crowther’s side had the first chance as Perry Moss saw his effort spilled by Abbey Hulton goalkeeper Dan Roberts into the path of Lemon.
However, Lemon could only turn the rebound against the crossbar before the home side eventually cleared the ball to safety.
A strong challenge from Aidan Blaise on Spa’s Nathan Binner saw the Abbey Hulton player booked before Josh Hurdman saw his free-kick comfortably saved by Roberts.
However, the North West Counties League First Division South side broke the deadlock before the break when Matt Bell fired an unstoppable effort into the roof of Dom Rogerson’s net from 25-yards out.
Spa responded on 54 minutes as Tilley drew the visitors level with a powerful volley from close range as the midfielder met a cross at the back post.
The home side spurned a glorious chance to reclaim the lead soon after only for Matt Ward to somehow shoot over the crossbar from a few yards out.
And Droitwich made Abbey Hulton pay for that missed chance when Lemon scrambled the ball home on 65 minutes to complete the turnaround.
However, Spa’s lead lasted all of three minutes as Blaize headed in Daniel Cocks’ corner unmarked to equalise for the home side.
Abbey Hulton searched for a winner as substitute Luke Walsh fired narrowly wide before Cocks failed to hit the target with a powerful drive.
And the home side won a penalty three minutes from time when a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area hit an arm in the Droitwich wall and the referee pointed to the spot.
Cocks duly converted the resulting penalty into the top left corner with just two minutes left to play.
Abbey Hulton sealed their place in the fourth round in injury time as Kieran Brown produced a clinical finish with Spa searching for a late leveller.
Droitwich are next in action against Newent Town on Saturday, December 21 with kick-off at 3pm at the King George Playing Fields.
