DROITWICH Spa dropped points for just the second time this season following a 1-1 draw with FC Stratford in which three players saw red.
A late goal from substitute Ralf Penton cancelled out Alex Dugmore’s 29th minute opener at the Arden Garages Stadium.
Stratford had Anthony Umoh sent off just before Dugmore broke the deadlock while Cory Rudd received a second yellow card for the visitors just past the hour mark.
And the game ended with a third red card as Stratford goalscorer Penton saw red in injury time much to the bemusement of the crowd.
Despite the draw, Droitwich sit six points clear at the top of the Hellenic League Division One table although second-placed Redditch Borough have a game in-hand.
The two teams traded chances early on as Sam Rodber flicked a header narrowly over the crossbar before Stratford goalkeeper Ethan Pheasey denied both Dugmore and Perry Moss.
However, the game turned just before the half-hour mark when Umoh brought down Josh Hurdman as the winger bore down on goal and received a straight red card.
And from the resulting free-kick, Pheasey fumbled Jack Brighton’s free-kick into the path of Dugmore who fired the ball home through a crowd of bodies.
Droitwich were unable to make the most of the extra man for the remainder of the half although Pheasey held Brighton’s low drive to keep the home side firmly in the contest.
Stratford controlled proceedings after the break without creating any meaningful chances before Nathan Binner saw his effort from 25-yards out go narrowly over the crossbar.
However, Rudd made a cynical challenge soon after when already on a yellow card and duly picked up a second booking to leave Spa down to 10-men.
The Bards began to turn the screw as Cian Evans rattled the crossbar with a venomous effort from distance.
And Rogerson then made a crucial save to spare Jamie Sauntson’s blushes before Joe Sykes sent a close-range header over the crossbar.
However, Stratford’s pressure eventually told with five minutes left to play as Penton latched onto a long ball in behind the Spa defence and fired a low effort into the bottom corner.
The Saltmen were left angered following an apparent elbow on Moss before Stratford’s Penton received a straight red card in injury time to become the third player to be sent off.
Droitwich host Southam United on Saturday, November 2 with kick-off at 3pm at the King George Playing Fields.
