A LAST gasp try for Droitwich saw them take a share of the spoils in their top-of-the-table Midlands Three West (South) clash at Sutton Coldfield which finished 24-24.

The home side started the more dynamically, driving at the Droitwich line to force a series of attacking scrums, before taking the lead with a converted try.

Droitwich started to put pressure on the hosts' defence with Duncan Hughes' penalty falling short in the stiff breeze, before superb work by centre Matt Blackmore found Phil Horton in space to dive under the posts. Hughes added the conversion.

Sutton attacked once more and always looked dangerous, but fine defensive efforts by back row forwards James Davies and Nick Godfrey kept the scores level.

The second-half began much as the first, with Sutton Coldfield pressurising the visitors, before a long miss pass saw the home winger squeeze over in the corner.

Not to be outdone, Droitwich came back strongly, with strong running by James Shewell and fellow front row-er Dean Goddard, before a well timed pass by Hughes saw Jonny Critchlow burst throu-gh the defence to score. Hug-hes added the conversion.

More strong work saw Jon Andrews feed scrum-half St-eve Poke to set up a good attacking position, before hoo-ker James Protherough thundered over to extend the Droitwich lead.

But sloppy defence by Droitwich in the final quarter saw them concede a line-out close to their line.

The well-drilled Sutton side secured possession before driving over to score.

More poor play by Droitwich saw an aimless kick fielded and run back by the lively home full-back before feeding the home scrum half to force his way over for a converted try to send Sutton 24-19 up.

Droitwich pummelled the Sutton line and drew level in the final minute of injury-time with a Ross Coombes try. Ho-wever, Hughes missed the conversion and the chance to snatch victory.

Next week Droitwich entertain Vipers in the fifth round of the EDF Senior Vase.