Droitwich Spa tasted defeat for the first time in 2025 in a game of few chances thanks to two late goals from Abingdon United at Kingy's on Saturday.

The Saltmen controlled the first half, confidently strolling the ball around from back to front, and the handful of chances that were created all fell to Andy Crowther's men; however it took until the 17th minute before Alex Dugmore's effort from a tight angle hit the side netting.

James Lemon could have opened the scoring just two minutes later but his flying header went just the wrong side of the cross-bar.

Mid-way through the half and neither Josh Hurdman nor Sam Carey could find the inspiration to trouble Cavanagh in the United goal.

However, eventually Spa did take the lead as a mistake from Cavanagh allowed Dugmore in to finish into the Abingdon net with 5 minutes to play until half time. It was no more than Droitwich deserved, despite them being short of creativity in the final third.

Andy Crowther's side started the second half well too, but Nathan Binner's free kick could only find the side-netting.

On the hour mark, Josh Hurdman was replaced with Kyonn Evans as the management team looked to change their shape. Unfortunately, this back-fired and the remaining 30 minutes belonged to Abingdon, as first Hayden Beadle flashed a powerful shot wide, then on 67 minutes when Joe Stockton was called into action for the first time in the game producing a great save to deny Nat Robinson.

United then introduced their top scorer Casey Highmoor, and on 82 minutes his free kick found Aaron Woodley before Stockton could reach it, and the Spa stopper was adjudged to have fouled the United midfielder.
Highmoor stepped up to clinically finish from the spot to level the scores at 1-1.

From this point Droitwich looked even more devoid of creativity, and would have been happy to settle for a point, however in injury time, a very softly awarded free kick just inside the Spa half was sent into the box and player-manager John Mills prodded home the rebound from close range to send Abingdon home with all three points, and reduce the gap between the sides to 9 points.