DROITWICH Spa’s title hopes suffered a blow after the Saltmen conceded two late goals in a 3-2 defeat against league leaders Hinckley AFC.
First-half goals from Charlie Tilley and Connor Collins put Spa ahead at the break only for Hinckley to strike twice in the final six minutes at the King George Playing Fields.
The result means Droitwich sit fourth in the Midland Football League Division One table, 15 points behind Hinckley with three games in-hand.
Hinckley almost broke the deadlock after just two minutes as Jack Edwards’ first time shot came back off the crossbar.
And the visitors took the lead just two minutes later when Kyron Green tapped home from close range after Tom Weale’s free-kick evaded everybody and hit the post.
Edwards spurned a glorious chance to double Hinckley’s lead soon after as he headed straight at Spa goalkeeper Ollie Sayer from close range.
The home side thought they had equalised on 14 minutes when Alex Dugmore found the net with a trademark header from a corner only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul in the box.
However, Droitwich did not have to wait long to draw level as Tilley turned the ball home from close range on 19 minutes.
And Spa completed a quickfire turnaround three minutes later when Tilley drew a foul in the box and Collins scored the resulting penalty.
Edwards missed another chance later in the half before Sayer made a fine save low down to keep Spa’s lead intact at the break.
Chances were at a premium in the second half as Droitwich substitute Lucas Edmonds headed wide while Hinckley captain Daniel Fraser blazed over at the other end with only Sayer to beat.
However, the visitors equalised unexpectedly on 84 minutes when substitute Brady Middleton sent a hopeful ball into the box which slipped through the hands of Spa keeper Sayer and into the net.
And Hinckley snatched the points two minutes later when another substitute, Declan Somel, scored a tap-in from close range.
