DRAWING to Paget Rangers was definitely a point gained and not two points dropped, insists Droitwich Spa joint-boss Wayne Oliver.
Midland League Division Two table-toppers Spa were held to a 1-1 stalemate by their Edgbaston-based visitors on Saturday in front of 117 fans at the King George Playing Fields.
The Saltmen took the lead in the first minute of first-half stoppage time when Nick Seabourne grabbed his 21st goal of the campaign after finding the far corner from just inside the penalty area.
But non-league stalwart Mark Bellingham ensured the visitors came away with a share of the spoils as he beat the Saltmen’s offside trap after 70 minutes before rounding keeper Matthew Oliver and slotting home.
The result meant Oliver’s and Mark Owen’s Spa moved just one point clear of second placed Alvis Sporting Club and remain 16 points ahead of Rangers who have six games in hand.
Despite the draw, Oliver told the Standard it was a fair result in the end.
“We had the better of the first half and they had the better of the second so it was a classic case of a game of two halves,” he said.
“I think in the end it was a fair result and it was definitely a point gained and not two dropped.
“We possibly could have got the win considering how many chances we created in the first half but that’s been the story of our season.
“We keep creating chances but only scoring just the one and when you switch off for one minute or make a mistake you get punished.”
The Saltmen, who are on a six-game unbeaten run in the league, travel to Coton Green on Saturday who have just been named as January’s team of the month for Division Two.
Green are also a bogey side for Spa as in the last three seasosn alone they have failed to register a single win (two draws, one defeat).
But Oliver says this weekend his side will be hoping to put that record straight.
“It’s a very small pitch so we struggle to play our style of football on it,” he added.
“They are the form side right now and we are in for a very tough game.
“It’s a difficult place to go to but we will see what get out of it and then go on from there.”
Defender Matthew Hunt and forwards Louis Bridges and Bradley Burgess return to the squad after missing the 1-1 draw with Rangers while James Lemon (quadriceps) and Macauley Finch (foot) are out for the rest of the season.
Spa have also snapped up 21-year-old midfielder Jack Allerton who has previously played for Loughborough United, Loughborough University and Birmingham City Academy.
