Droitwich Spa 1-1 Wrens Nest

A sterile performance from Droitwich Spa on a difficult surface lead to the Saltmen dropping their first points of 2019 to a determined Wrens Nest.

Both sides had been part of high-scoring games of late, but chances for both sides were at a premium for most of this encounter, with the visitors having the better opportunities overall.

Wrens Nest started the game the better as the pacey Chris Perry gave the Spa back-line a hard time of it, and on 20 minutes the visitors should have taken the after a good run and low cross from Connor Lawrence down the left hand side found Nathan Guest with most of the goal to aim at, but he scooped his shot over the bar as the scores remained 0-0.

For the Saltmen, the final ball was lacking, but they came closest after a flowing move down the right culminated in a powerful 25-yard strike from Jack Allerton which whistled just the wrong side of the post.

Then some good work from Haydn Morris cutting inside from the left flank - his cross shot just evaded both goalkeeper and the incoming Bradley Burgess as the sides went in all-square at the break.

The second half was an even affair - debutante Spa 'keeper Connor Coombes (called up from the Under 21's due to Matt Oliver's suspension) was forced into a couple of routine saves, but Wrens Nest took the lead ten minutes into the half when Perry received a cross from the right and gave Coombes no chance from close range.

The goal seemed to spark Droitwich into life as Davies, Morris, Cottrill and Tilbury all had half chances, and they equalised on 66minutes when Ben Tilbury got the decisive touch in a goal-mouth scramble.

There were further half chances missed at both ends, but in the final minute of injury time Spa sub Dan Cottrill was put in by Tilbury, but one touch too many when one-on-one with Nest's 'keeper Callum Stokes allowed Josh Raden to nip in and clear as the referee blew for full time.