Another late show from Spalding United put them through to an FA Cup second-round qualifying tie at home to Alfreton Town.
It came thanks to Mane Sano-Sani’s deft header in the first minute of stoppage time at Ilkeston Town on Saturday, which secured a 2-1 victory.
The Tulips had to hit back from behind again after conceding a 34th-minute goal to Sam Essiens.
That lead only lasted three minutes before Jack Roberts capitalised on home goalkeeper Dylan Wharton’s error to notch his fourth goal of the campaign.
The tie looked to be heading for a replay until Sano-Sani got on the end of substitute Jordan Nicholson’s pin-point free-kick to flick the ball into the home net.
Manager Jimmy Dean was delighted with the result against the Northern Premier League Premier Division side and said: “I don’t think the draw could have been much more difficult for us at this stage. They boxed us in well and we had to be a little bit smart. We didn’t put in the passes but when we did you could see the quality, we just didn’t do it enough.
“It was tight and I don’t think either side would have argued if it had been a draw.
“We have to be delighted though at coming here to get the win.”
Second-half substitutions again made the difference and Dean said: “We have looked tired in games fitness-wise and it’s three times now that the substitutes have come on and made a massive impact.
“Dan Lawlor came on and impacted well while Curtis Thompson really showed some physicality and quality. He was like a man of war.
“With the wind holding the ball up, it became more of a battle and Mani just gives you that leap, jump, that first contact.
“We wanted to be a bit more cuter in the final third, which is why I went for Jordan. It was a big call because Robbo had scored again and it was a lovely bit of quality from Nicholson for the free-kick.
“It was a fantastic header from Mani, he controlled it so well and it was another unbelievable moment for us.”
“We’ve won three games out of six late on, which is testament to where the boys are at, as well as the quality and strength in depth we’ve got.”
“It feels nice, it feels like lot of things to be positive about.”
Disappointing news for Dean though is that he will have to await even longer to introduce his new-look team to the Tulips’ home fans.
After six away games, on top of six pre-season friendlies, United were due to make their home bow on the new artificial Sir Halley Stewart Field surface on Tuesday, September 9.
However, further delays in the construction of the new pitch has seen the scheduled fixture against Kettering Town switched to the Poppies’ Latimer Park ground. It will mean Dean’s side face a run of at least 14 away matches on the bounce but there appears to be good news ahead.
A Tulips spokesman said: “The new playing surface was delivered over the weekend, with good progress already made on its installation.”
That does mean the FA Cup tie against Alfreton Town on Saturday, September 13, should be the first one to be played on the new surface. The spokesman added: “We fully anticipate that this fixture will mark our first competitive match on the new pitch.”
Aaron Chapman’s stay with Spalding proved to be a short one. Less than eight months after joining, the much-travelled goalkeeper has gone to National League North side King’s Lynn Town and made his debut in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Kidderminster.
Tulips: Chapman, Sembi-Ferris, Bondswell, Johnson, Blythe, Bendle, Roberts, Sheriff, McCammon, Cybulski, Ceesay. Subs: Thompson, White, Nicholson, Lawlor, Sani, Clifton.
Attendance: 402.
