DROTIWICH Spa secured a play-off spot with a 3-1 derby win against 10-man Worcester Raiders as Josh Hurdman scored his 50th goal for the club.
Hurdman put Spa ahead at the Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium only for a stunning goal from Jake Collins to draw the home side level after the break.
The Raiders had captain Jordan Murphy sent off on 73 minutes after he received a second yellow card for a foul on Alex Dugmore.
And the Saltmen took full advantage of the extra man as Dugmore and Ben Tilbury scored late goals to seal the club’s place in the play-offs.
The result means Droitwich sit third in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, just one point behind Roman Glass St George in second with Slimbrige confirmed as league champions.
Spa broke the deadlock after just six minutes when Hurdman chipped Raiders goalkeeper Charlie Emery from Perry Moss’s through ball as the ball trickled into the net.
The goal marked Hurdman’s 50th for Spa in just 114 appearances for the Saltmen since he first joined the club in 2023.
The visitors almost doubled their lead at the end of the first period as Hurdman’s free-kick just lacked the necessary curl and flashed past the top-right corner.
Raiders went close early in the second half when Bailey Fuller fired over the crossbar from close range.
And Worcester equalised on 65 minutes as Collins curled a stunning effort into the top-left corner from distance which left Spa goalkeeper Joe Stockton with no chance.
Spa thought they had reclaimed the lead when Nathan Binner’s volley found the net only for the offside flag to deny Droitwich the lead.
However, Raiders captain Murphy saw red after he brought down Dugmore and picked up a second yellow card.
And Droitwich reclaimed the lead on 82 minutes when Dugmore planted a trademark header into the net from Cory Rudd’s corner.
Spa struck again four minutes later as Tilbury powered the ball into the net from close range after Jay Sauntson saw his initial volley cleared off the line.
Victory for the Saltmen, coupled with results elsewhere, mean Spa have secured a top-five finish this season.
Droitwich are next in action against Westfields on Tuesday, April 14 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Allpay Park.
