DROITWICH Spa battled to a 2-1 home win against Royal Wootton Bassett Town to secure a fourth straight victory in the league and remain top of the table.
An early goal from Charlie Tilley put Spa ahead before Perry Moss’s free-kick doubled the home side’s lead before the break at the King George Playing Fields.
However, Kassa Anderson halved the deficit for the visitors early in the second half before Spa substitute Sam Hurdman saw red with a couple of minutes left to play.
The Saltmen held on to stretch their unbeaten run to eight league matches as Spa claimed a fourth successive home victory.
And the result means Droitwich remain top of the Hellenic League Premier Division table, two points clear of Roman Glass St George who have a game in-hand.
Andy Crowther’s side made a bright start as Bassett goalkeeper Adam House kept out Alex Dugmore’s early effort.
And Spa broke the deadlock after just six minutes when Tilley volleyed home a deep cross to the back post, leaving House with no chance.
The goal sparked the visitors into life as Bassett enjoyed a spell of possession following the game’s opener.
Bassett almost drew level soon after courtesy of Marcel Lewis’s volley from 20-yards out.
And Droitwich stopper Dom Rogerson then made a fine save to deny Ed Taylor from point-blank range midway through the first period.
Spa responded with a couple of chances of their own as a brace block prevented Moss from finding the target while Jack Brighton could only find the side netting with a free-kick.
However, Moss doubled Droitwich’s lead five minutes before half time when his free-kick squirmed under House’s dive and nestled in the bottom corner.
The Saltmen thought they had sealed the points early in the second half when Reiss Taylor-Randle found the net only for the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside.
And Bassett struck moments later on 49 minutes when Anderson finished Otis Lewis’s cross from close range.
An end-to-end contest ensued with Moss and Tilley both denied by House at one end while Rogerson kept out substitute Bonsa Teshome’s strike at the other.
Hurdman, introduced from the bench on 78 minutes, picked up two yellow cards in quick succession late on but Spa comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure the points.
Droitwich are next in action against Sporting Club Inkberrow in the Worcestershire Senior Cup on Tuesday, October 7 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
