CHARLIE Tilley’s late goal rescued a point for Droitwich Spa as the Saltmen were knocked off top spot despite extending their unbeaten run to eight matches following a 1-1 draw with Nuneaton Griff.
Tilley struck on 77 minutes to draw Spa level and cancel out Daniel Edmonds’ opener at the start of the second period at the King George Playing Fields.
And the result means Droitwich drop to second in the Midland Football League Division One table. one point behind leaders Hinckley AFC with a game in-hand.
The home side created the game’s first chance as Perry Moss fired over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Nuneaton responded with a chance of their own as Spa goalkeeper Joel Chadwick easily claimed Nathan McGarrity’s attempted chip.
And Chadwick then made a stunning fingertip save to turn Archie Gallagher’s effort from close range around the post.
The Saltmen almost broke the deadlock shortly before half time as Nuneaton keeper Dale O’Donnell kept out Luke Molloy’s volley to send the teams into the break level.
However, Nuneaton took the lead on 53 minutes when Edmonds burst into the box and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner.
And Edmonds almost doubled Nuneaton’s lead soon after only for Alex Dugmore to scramble the ball off the line.
However, after a number of chances came and went, Spa eventually equalised on 77 minutes when Tilley popped up at the back post to tap home a flick-on from a corner.
There was still time for Chadwick to make another superb save as he somehow tipped Edmonds’ powerful close range effort on to the crossbar to ensure both teams when home with a share of the spoils.
Droitwich are next in action at home to Worcester City on Tuesday, November 14 in the Worcestershire Senior Cup with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
