DROITWICH Spa suffered an agonising last-minute 5-4 defeat against Hereford Pegasus in a nine-goal thriller on the club’s Step Five debut.
Spa recovered from a three-goal deficit thanks to a brace from Ben Tilbury and further strikes from Josh Hurdman and substitute Joe Hurdman at Old School Lane.
However, a stunning strike from Jordan Williamson denied Spa a share of the spoils at the death.
The result means Spa sit 14th in the Hellenic League Premier Division table.
Droitwich almost made a disastrous start to life at Step Five as Nathan Binner cleared an effort off his own goal line early on.
However, Spa responded with a flurry of chances of their own the best of which saw Alex Dugmore’s header strike with woodwork with Pegasus goalkeeper Matt Apperley backpedalling.
Hereford launched into a counter attack and took the lead on 23 minutes as Harry Pitman produced a clinical finish across Dom Rogerson into the bottom corner.
And the home side doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Carlos Moreira fired a low volley into the bottom corner.
Moreira doubled his tally for the game just three minutes after half time with a well-placed header from Harrison Summers’ cross to leave Spa with a mountain to climb.
Droitwich shuffled the pack and reduced the deficit almost immediately as Tilbury turned home an inviting cross to score Spa’s first-ever goal at Step Five.
And the Saltmen struck again on 58 minutes as Josh Hurdman lashed a loose ball into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit to a single goal.
However, Hereford restored their two-goal cushion on the hour mark after the referee penalised Dugmore for a foul in the box and Williamson converted from the penalty spot.
Spa refused to give up and cut the deficit again on 70 minutes when Josh Hurdman crossed for substitute Joe Hurdman who produced a powerful finish.
And the visitors equalised just three minutes later as Tilbury scored his second of the game from the penalty spot after James Lemon drew a foul in the box.
Spa goalkeeper Rogerson then made a crucial save at his near post to keep the scores level.
Pegasus thought they had reclaimed the lead on 83 minutes only for Spa to clear the ball off the line for a second time.
And Hereford goalscorer Moreira then saw red after he picked up a second yellow card.
However, despite their numerical disadvantage, Pegasus snatched the points at the death as Williamson somehow found the net from 30-yards out with a cross-shot after he cut in from the left.
Droitwich make their debut in the FA Cup this weekend with a trip to Racing Club Warwick on Saturday, August 2 with kick-off at 3pm at Townsend Meadow.
