DROITWICH Spa saw their five-game winning run come to and end after the Saltmen were edged out 1-0 by Shawbury United to suffer their first defeat of the New Year.
Shawbury’s in form striker Joe Cuff scored the game’s only goal shortly before half time as Spa goalkeeper Matt Oliver made a number of saves to keep the visitors in the contest at the Ludlow Stadium.
The result means Droitwich remain sixth in the Midland Football League Division One table, three points behind OJM Black Country who occupy the final play-off spot.
And goalscorer Cuff should have opened the scoring in the first few minutes only to shoot over from 10-yards out when through on goal.
Both teams struggled on the heavy pitch as Shawbury’s Marc Addagio forced Oliver into a comfortable save before Connor Collins went close at the other end.
The visitors grew into the game as Shawbury goalkeeper Dan Pilkington cut out Collins’s cross with the ball destined for the head of the unmarked Perry Moss.
Collins saw a free-kick in a promising position easily caught by Pilkington as Andy Crowther’s side struggled to create a clear cut chance.
Shawbury took a deserved lead when Cuff played a smart one-two with Dan Fenlon before firing a low effort past Oliver into the bottom corner.
And the home side almost doubled their lead only for the Spa defence to clear Adaggio’s shot off the line to trial by a single goal at the break.
Shawbury remained on top in the second period as Oliver made a fine save at the feet of Cuff as he ran through on goal.
Despite Spa having four striker’s on the pitch in the final few minutes, the Saltmen were unable to break through a stubborn Shawbury defence.
Droitwich are next in action tomorrow night against Pershore Town in the quarter-finals of the Worcestershire Senior Cup with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
