DROITWICH Spa's automatic promotion hopes took a significant hit on Saturday as MFL Division One leaders Hinckley AFC scored two late goals to come from behind and win a thrilling top-of-the-table clash.

Kyron Green's fourth-minute opener was cancelled out by strikes from Charlie Tilley and Connor Collins to give Droitwich a 2-1 lead at the break, which they held until the final 10 minutes when two quickfire goals from Hinckley substitutes Declan Somel and Harry Walker-Donovan secured a dramatic 3-2 win.

It was just The Saltmen's second home defeat of the season in front of a healthy crowd on Non-League Day at The Kingy's.

The visitors started brightly and within four minutes took the lead as a Tom Weale free kick evaded everyone, hit the post and Green couldn't miss from close range.

Droitwich started to settle and Alex Dugmore thought he had equalised with a trademark header from a corner but the match official disallowed the goal for a foul.

But the Saltmen didn't have to wait long for an equaliser as Tilley was on hand to turn the ball in from close range on 19 minutes and just three minutes later, the Spa midfielder was brought down in the box and Collins made not mistake from the penalty spot.

The rest of the encounter was a cagey affair and the only chances of note fell to the visitors where Jack Edwards was again guilty of missing a decent chance when heading over the bar before Oliver Sayer made a fine save low-down just before the break to keep Droitwich's slender advantage.

The second half followed a similar fashion and Droitwich defended well to frustrate the league leaders. The first opportunity came on the hour mark for Edwards but Sayer again saved well to deny him.

Droitwich posed no real threat going forward in the second half and both Collins and Perry Moss were replaced in quick succession after picking up knocks. Replacement Lucas Edmonds having the best opportunity but he headed wide when well positioned.

Captain Daniel Fraser should have equalised for Hinckley but he blazed his effort over with just Sayer to beat.

Just as the game looked to be petering out with Droitwich settling in to defend their lead, a hopeful ball into the box from 35 yards out by substitute Brady Middleton looked to be a routine catch for Sayer, but the ball slipped through his hands and into the net for an unexpected Hinckley equaliser.

And then, less than two minutes later, another substitute in Somel settled the contest with another close range tap in to give the visitors all three points.