REDDITCH Borough suffered their first league defeat since October last year after losing 3-0 against Droitwich Spa.
Second-half goals from Alex Dugmore, Josh Hurdman and Perry Moss settled the game at the King George Playing Fields.
The defeat is Borough’s first in the league for almost 10 months after losing just once in their promotion-winning campaign last season.
The first chance of the game fell to Droitwich after James Lemon won a free-kick in a promising position only for Cory Rudd to send the resulting set-piece over the crossbar from 25-yards out.
However, a stray Droitwich pass deep inside their own half presented Redditch with a chance to score only for Dean Fisher to fire wide of the target.
Borough then saw a headed chance at a corner cleared off the line before Spa countered as Tivon Henry produced an outstanding goal-saving challenge to deny Lemon a shot on goal.
After a period of Borough pressure, Spa came within inches of taking the lead when Rudd controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area before looping a half-volley onto the crossbar as Dugmore blazed the follow-up over.
Redditch found themselves in behind the Spa defence soon after only for Jamie Sauntson to produce a superb last-ditch challenge on Sean Brain.
After a goalless first period, Droitwich came racing out of the blocks in the second half as Lemon teed up Charlie Tilley who could only shoot straight at Borough goalkeeper Joshua Murtagh.
Spa went close again moments later with Murtagh alert to push Dugmore’s flicked header from a long throw behind for a corner.
And the Saltmen tested Murtagh again when Matt Jackson delivered an excellent first time cross from the left with Tilley unable to properly connect wirh his volley.
However, the home side’s pressure eventually told on 54 minutes when Dugmore finished at the third attempt after Murtagh made a couple of fine saves from close range immediately before the goal.
Droitwich controlled the game thereafter before substitute Hurdman latched onto a through ball and fired home on 81 minutes to secure the points for Spa.
And the home side almost added a third goal late on only for Tilley to see his effort heroically cleared off the line.
Borough remained a threat as Dom Rogerson made a brave stop to deny Brain from close range following a quick counter attack.
However, Droitwich completed the scoring in a style as Moss curled home a delightful free-kick from 20-yards out from the right edge of the penalty area with a minute of regulation time left to play.
