KEEPER Matt Oliver was sent off as Droitwich Spa won 4-0 at Tipton Town in West Midlands Football League Division One.

Tipton substitute Ross Harris was brought down by Oliver with 15 minutes left in a one-on-one on the edge of the area.

Droitwich’s versatile stalwart Andy Crowther went in goal for the rest of the match and preserved the clean sheet.

Spa scored twice more despite being down to 10 men and remain fifth in the table ahead of Saturday’s home game with mid-table Wrens Nest at Stourport’s Walshes Meadow (3pm).

Chances were at a premium at Tipton and the Saltmen were more clinical in front of goal.

They went ahead after a 20-minute midfield battle with the first piece of real quality in the game.

A cross from deep by winger Brad Burgess found James Lemon whose looping header beat keeper Chris Thomas into the top corner.

Tipton’s Connor Garrett and captain Terrence Davies fired efforts straight at Oliver as Spa defended well.

Droitwich’s Haydn Morris, Burgess, Ben Tilbury and Lemon had further half-chances in the first half but missed the target.

Spa came out on top in the second period and looked more dangerous going forward without creating a great deal.

Tilbury doubled the advantage just before the hour as Tipton did not clear their lines and he hit a low drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Substitute Jack Davies created opportunities for Tilbury and Cory Rudd who fired wide and Morris also missed the target from long range.

Instead of Tipton making their extra man advantage pay off after Oliver’s red card the Saltmen added to their lead.

Davies cut inside from the right and finished well on 81 minutes.

Then Davies’ low drive went under Thomas for Lemon to tap home on the goal-line.