DROITWICH Spa returned to winning ways in the league with a 3-1 victory against play-off chasing Shortwood United.
Goals from Perry Moss, Josh Hurdman and Alex Dugmore helped maintain the Saltmen’s title charge at the King George Playing Fields.
The result means Droitwich remain six points clear at the top of the Hellenic League Division One table.
A torrential downpour just before kick-off made for difficult conditions in a cagey opening to an important clash for both teams.
However, the game burst into life on 20 minutes when Moss rode a challenge before firing a low effort towards goal from 25-yards out which squirmed under Shortwood goalkeeper Luke Davies and into the bottom corner.
The goal sparked the visitors into life as Dom Rogerson made a stunning reaction save to keep out Alfie Bloomer’s deflected effort.
Spa began to find their rhythm but could not find a way through a well-organised Shortwood defence.
Shortwood limited the home side to shots from distance with Spa unable to trouble the away goal.
However, the Saltmen doubled their lead one minute before half time when Hurdman controlled a perfectly-weighted cross-field pass and dribbled the ball around his marker before coolly finding the corner of the net.
Spa controlled the game after the break and sealed the points on 71 minutes as Dugmore headed in Hurdman’s pinpoint cross into the net from close range.
And Dugmore went close again soon after when he headed Moss’s cross off target when well-placed in the box.
Substitutes Kyonn Evans and Matt Fusco were next to try their luck as the former fired over while Shortwood goalkeeper Luke Davies kept out the latter’s srtike.
Shortwood scored a consolation goal two minutes from time when substitute Elliot Martin finished from close range after Spa switched off from a throw-in.
The Saltmen now face a run of eight successive away games in all competitions.
Droitwich are next in action against Chipping Sodbury Town on Saturday, March 1 with kick-off at 3pm at The Ridings.
