An extra-time rebound from his own saved penalty saw Tyler Winters score the only goal of Tuesday’s FA Cup replay to book Spalding United a second qualifying round home date with National League North
high-flyers Alfreton Town.
Saturday’s clean sheet in the original staging of the tie against Matlock Town had given new manager Jimmy Dean cause for optimism as he took charge of his first match.
A 0-0 draw saw the start of the former Peterborough Sports and Scunthorpe United manager’s reign at the Tulips.
Ironically, it proved to be the last match in charge for opposite number Nicky Laws, who was dismissed by the Derbyshire side on Monday.
Dean announced his arrival by making three swift signings but admitted his team was already in a relegation battle in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
“We’ve lost the last four and conceded 12 so a clean sheet is huge for the team. It’s gives the players that little bit of belief,” said Dean, who was appointed on Wednesday to replace Elliott Sandy. “The lads just need to be honest, we’re in a relegation battle,” he added. “Five games in, we’ve lost four so have got to turn things quickly. That’s what we’ve got to endeavour to do.”
With Matlock also struggling at the foot of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table, having scored just three goals in six games, up against a home team boasting two in five, a goalless draw was perhaps a foregone conclusion.
Man of the match Sam Cartwright had a shot blocked and new signing Jordan Nicholson was denied by a last-ditch tackle, with another new boy, Layton Ndukwu’s long-range free-kick going narrowly over in the first half.
After the break, substitute Joe Nyahwema shot straight at goalkeeper Ravenhill in a match of few chances.
“We had a couple of chances, one good one and I can’t really remember them having any.
“I thought for 70 minutes the structure of the team was really good, considering we only had an hour-and-a-half with them on Thursday,” said Dean.
“In the last 20 it got a little bit stretched. We need to be a little bit fitter and need to trust each other more and have more belief. We’ve got to tidy up in possession and be on to more second balls.”
All three new signings made their bow. Midfielder Lamine Sherif returned after a short spell at Barwell and attacking former Peterborough United midfielder Nicholson has arrived from St Ives. Winger Ndukwu is a product of Leicester City’s academy and has played for Southend, Portsmouth, Albanian side Kukesi and Danish club Akademisk Boldklub. The former England u16 and u17 player arrives from Coalville.
Tulips v Buxton, home: Breeden, Ezewele, Warburton, Cartwright, Walker, Barker, Ndukwu (Nyahwema), Sherif, Graham (Winters), Ngandu, Nicholson (Draper). Subs: West, Stainfield, Dawes, Bennett.
Attendance: 344.
Tulips v Buxton, away: Breeden, Ezewele, Warburton, Cartwright, Stainfield, Barker (Winters), Nyahwema (Draper), Sherif, Graham (Bennett), Ngandu (Dawes), Nicholson (Ndukwu). Subs: White, West.
Attendance: 423.
