DROITWICH Spa were denied a stunning come from behind win against title-chasing Ashby Ivanhoe in a six-goal thriller.
The Saltmen trailed by two goals at the break only for second-half efforts from James Lemon, Matt Hunt and Connor Collins to turn the game in Spa’s favour.
However, Ashby drew level with 15 minutes left to play to share the spoils at the King George Playing Fields.
The result means Spa sit sixth in the Midland Football League Division One table, two points behind OJM Black Country who have a game in hand.
Despite Ashby last taking to the field on January 2, the visitors started the better of the two teams as Chris Acott opened the scoring when he slid the ball past Matt Oliver.
Spa rode their luck several times with Acott denied a penalty when he was brought down by Alex Dugmore and the same player was then fortunate only to be booked when he brought down Acott who appeared to be through on goal.
And the away side doubled their lead when top scorer Sam Grouse slipped the ball beyond the onrushing Oliver from Acott’s defence-splitting chipped through ball.
However, Andy Crowther rallied his troops at half time as Lemon halved the deficit early in the second period with a superb dipping shot that caught Tom Dyche off his line.
And Spa levelled the game soon after as Hunt smashed the ball home from close range after the rebound from his initial header fell kindly into his path.
The Saltmen almost completed the turnaround when Perry Moss’s shot was cleared off the line with Dyche beaten in the Ashby goal.
And Spa did eventually turn the game on its head as Collins volleyed in Moss’s cross from close range to the delight of the Saltmen faithful.
However, Ashby restored parity courtesy of Jacob Conkay’s bullet header from a corner with 15 minutes left to play.
There was still time for both Collins and Dugmore to go close whilst Ashby had several efforts comfortably saved by Oliver from close range.
Spa are next in action at home to Pershore Town TONIGHT (Tuesday, January 31) with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
