CORY Rudd’s goal earned Droitwich Spa a 1-0 win against Highworth Town as the Saltmen maintained their title challenge.
Rudd scored the game’s only goal on the hour mark as Spa secured back-to-back league victories at the King George Playing Fields.
And the result means Droitwich sit second in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, three points behind leaders Slimbridge.
The game’s first chance fell to Alex Dugmore only for Highworth goalkeeper James Walker to bring the Droitwich striker down when through one-on-one for which he received a booking.
Dugmore had another chance later in the first half as he headed narrowly over the crossbar after good footwork in the box by Perry Moss.
Moss continued to tease the Highworth defence as Walker denied the midfielder just past the half-hour mark before Rudd missed the target with a free-kick.
Spa remained on top as Charlie Tilley saw a volley flash past the goal while the same player fired over from close range following a scramble in the box.
Highworth almost stunned the home side shortly after half time when Ashley Edenborough’s attempted chip beat Joe Stockton in the Spa net but somehow missed the net.
And Stockton then denied the visitors from a one-on-one situation as the visitors gained control of the contest.
However, Droitwich broke the deadlock against the run of play on 60 minutes as Rudd fired home from outside the penalty area.
Stockton kept Spa ahead with a series of saves late on while Liam Haines missed a headed chance at the death as Spa took the points.
Droitwich are next in action against Lydney Town on Tuesday, March 24 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
