EARLSWOOD Town surrendered a two-goal lead as the Earls were beaten 4-2 by title-chasing Cadbury Athletic to stretch their winless run to eight games.
Louis Bridges scored a quickfire double inside 20 minutes only for Cadbury to score four goals without reply to seal a come from behind victory at The Pavilions.
The result means Earlswood sit eighth in the Midland Football League Division Two table.
And Earlswood took the lead on 15 minutes when Bridges received the ball from a free-kick before striking a low effort into the bottom corner on the turn.
Bridges moved onto 10 goals for the season just five minutes later with a sublime lob over Cadbury goalkeeper Fraser Oliver from the edge of the penalty area.
However, the goals sparked Cadbury into life as the visitors reduced the deficit just two minutes later when Ethan Hanks volleyed home from close range after Wade Malley’s long throw evaded everybody in the box.
And Cadbury were level just before the half-hour mark as Myles Brooks tapped home at the back post after Hanks’ dangerous free-kick was headed back across goal into the scorer’s path.
Cadbury were awarded a contentious penalty in first-half injury time as striker Kediah Warren-Paul was held by Earls defender James Wright before home goalkeeper Ally Lewis came out and took the ball and both men.
Despite the referee initially waving play on, the linesman raised his flag and a penalty was awarded following a lengthy discussion as Cadbury striker Tom Craine slotted home to complete the turnaround.
The Earls dominated the ball in the second half but were unable to create a clear opening before Cadbury sealed the points with a late breakaway goal through substitute Taylor Homer’s low finish.
Earlswood are next in action away at Redditch Borough on Saturday, March 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Redditch Borough Community Sports and Social Club.
