DROITWICH Spa fell to a third consecutive defeat in the league after they conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 at home to league leaders Dudley Town.
The Saltmen held their own throughout the contest before Dan Danks won the game for Dudley with a goal in the 85th minute at the King George Playing Fields.
And the results means Droitwich now sit fifth in the Midland Football League Division One table.
Dudley started the better of the two teams as Spa goalkeeper Matt Oliver made a comfortable save from Connor Archer’s shot from a tight angle.
The home side responded with several chances of their own as James Lemon was unable to make clean contact with a bouncing ball before Connor Collins’ looping effort was cleared off the line by Ashley Smith.
Collins had further chances to break the deadlock when he shot narrowly wide before having a header spectacularly deflected over the bar by Joe Colley.
Former Droitwich man Lucas Edmonds then spurned two glorious chances to give the visitors the lead with his first effort saved by the feet of Oliver before dragging a second shot wide.
And the Saltmen were denied an opener by a stunning fingertip save by Dudley goalkeeper Ethan Hawkes as he somehow pushed Luke Molloy’s top-corner bound free-kick over the bar.
There were few clear-cut chances for either side in the second half until Danks fired home the winner for Dudley from Sam Chukwurah’s lay off with five minutes left to play.
The home side pushed for an equaliser late on but were unable to capitalise on a couple of set pieces before substitute Ben Cowlishaw just missed a loose ball in the Dudley box.
Droitwich are back in action against Shawbury United TONIGHT (Tuesday, September 20) with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
