DROITWICH Spa missed the chance to move top of the table following a heavy 4-0 home defeat against Cinderford Town.
The Saltmen’s eight-game unbeaten run in the league came to an abrupt end at the King George Playing Fields.
Spa lost at home in the league for just the second time this season as a brace from Jack Watts and further goals from Kian Davies and Blaine Waugh condemned Andy Crowther’s side to defeat.
That was despite Cinderford playing the final half an hour with 10-men after Sam Hunt received a second yellow card for a high boot when challenging for the ball with Josh Hurdman.
The result means Droitwich remain two points behind leaders Roman Glass St George with two games in hand in the Hellenic League Premier Division table.
Spa made the worst possible start in their first home game of the New Year as Davies finished a low cross from the left with the game just three minutes old.
The home side looked to respond to the setback as Alex Dugmore headed over while Charlie Tilley shot over the top from a tight angle after good work from Jack Brighton.
Droitwich goalkeeper Joe Stockton then denied Harry Leeson as Cinderford threatened to score a second goal before the interval.
The Saltmen almost drew level on the stroke of half time only for Ben Tilbury to see his backheel come back off the crossbar from Dugmore’s initial header.
And the last action of the half saw Stockton comfortably claim Davies’ shot from the edge of the penalty area to leave Spa a goal behind at the break.
Crowther’s side made a strong start to the second half as Hurdman flashed a low shot across the face of goal.
And Dugmore then sent a header narrowly wide of the post as the home side pushed for an equaliser.
However, Cinderford doubled their lead on 59 minutes when Watts produced a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Droitwich received a lifeline just two minutes later when Cinderford’s Hunt saw red after catching Hurdman with a high boot.
However, Watts doubled his tally for the game on 64 minutes with a sublime chip from distance which travelled over Stockton and nestled in the top corner.
Spa thought they had scored a consolation goal five minutes from time courtesy of a James Lemon header only for the assistant referee to flag for offside.
And Cinderford rubbed salt in the wounds in the final minute as Waugh scored a stunner to cap a perfect away performance from the visitors.
The Saltmen saw a second goal ruled out for offside at the death which denied James Baldwin a goal on his return to the club after more than 11 years away.
Droitwich are next in action against Corsham Town on Saturday, January 24 with kick-off at 3pm at Lacock Road.
