BARNT Green Spartak were left wondering how they failed to lose their opening game of the Midland Combination division two season following a 3-2 defeat at Littleton.

The hosts were ahead on ten minutes with a well taken volley from eight yards out.

GJ Singh's side's best efforts came from a 25-yard Mark Uddin free-kick and a Mark Christie lob that was cleared off the line.

Yemi Ingram, who limped off on 35 minutes, and Mohammed Miller, twice had clear cut chances to put Spartak level but put their efforts wide from close range.

It took Spartak only eight minutes of the second half to equalise when captain Simon Pinfield headed home an Uddin free-kick.

And it was Uddin who put Spartak ahead on 70 minutes when his free-kick slipped through the Littleton goalkeeper's hands.

Urel Brown, signed last week from division one side Pilkington XXX, then followed Ingram from the pitch as he too limped off after 71 minutes.

Spartak then had a crazy five minutes when they conceded two goals, the first following a bad mistake by Nasir Hanif.

At 3-2 down with 15 minutes left, the visitors again tried to take the game to their hosts.

They were rewarded with a penalty on 79 minutes when Adrian Knox was bought down but Spartak's afternoon was summed up when Christie had his weak spot kick saved.