DROITWICH Spa dropped their first points of 2019, after coming up against a resilient Wrens Nest side.
The 1-1 draw in Dudley was a subdued affair, the Saltmen unable to get up to their usual performance levels of late.
Chris Perry was a bright spark for the hosts in the early exchanges, giving Spa’s back-line a difficult time, whilst Nathan Guest wasted a golden opportunity when putting Connor Lawrence’s cross over the bar.
Spa were unable to deliver with the final ball, but went close through Jack Allerton’s 25-yard whistler past the post.
Hadyn Morris then worked the ball well down the left, cutting inside before pearling a cross-cum-shot that just went out of both the goallkeeper and Bradley Burgess’ reach.
The second-half continued to be a deadlocked game, though Connor Coombes was on hand to deliver a number of saves – debuting for Spa after stepping up from the U21’s.
It was Wrens Nest who made the break through on 55 minutes, when Perry picked up a cross from the right and fired into the net from close-range.
Droitwich were rallied by going behind, and sprawled forward in numbers to try and grab an equaliser.
Within 11 minutes, they were level.
A goal-mouth scramble ensued inside the Wrens Nest box, with Ben Tilbury on hand to nudge the ball home.
Both sides continued to miss half chances, but it could have been a different story had Dan Cottrill taken his chance.
He was put through by Tilbury in injury-time and after dallying for too long on the ball, allowed defender Josh Raden to steal the ball and clear.
Droitwich stay fifth in the table and head to Old Wulfrunians on Saturday (3pm) – who are a place behind in sixth – although ten points behind and having played five games more than the Saltmen.
