DROITWICH Spa suffered their first defeat in the league in 23 matches after they were beaten 2-0 at home by fellow newly-promoted side Coton Green.
The Saltmen last lost a league game in October 2021 and were punished for making a slow start as they conceded twice in the opening quarter hour at King George Playing Fields.
And the result leaves Droitwich in sixth place in the Midland Football League Division One table having won their opening three matches.
The visitors took the lead in controversial fashion on eight minutes when Matt Gardner raced onto a loose ball and finished from a tight despite Spa players having stopped after the assistant referee raised his flag with Corey Powell in an offside position.
After much deliberation between the match officials, the goal was given despite protests from the Droitwich players and bench.
And Gardner had his second of the game just five minutes later with a lofted finish over onrushing Spa goalkeeper Matt Oliver after he latched onto another through ball
Spa responded well to the early setbacks with Connor Collins going closest to reducing the deficit with a free-kick that went narrowly wide of the target.
The away side were fortunate not to be reduced to 10-men when Harry Howard made a strong challenge on Collins having been booked earlier in the half with the latter forced off injured and the former substituted having been given a final warning.
Coton Green could have but the game to bed shortly before half time only for Oliver to make a fine low save to thwart substitute Kyle Hayden.
The Saltmen dominated second half proceedings with Cal Green, Alex Dugmore and Ollie Thompson all failing to trouble Corey Samuels in the Coton Green goal.
Thompson had a header cleared off the line later in the half whilst Perry Moss also suffered an injury to add to Spa’s woes.
Droitwich are next in action TONIGHT (Tuesday, August 23) against AFC Bridgnorth with kick-off at 7.45pm at Crown Meadow.
