After beating second and third in their last two games, ten-man Spalding United were brought back down to Earth on Saturday losing 2-1 at home to Banbury United.
A penalty three minutes from time inflicted just a fourth defeat of the season on Jimmy Dean’s league leaders.
It all started so well for Spalding who went ahead thanks to Yusifu Ceesay’s seventh minute goal.
He comfortably rose highest to power home a Jack Roberts corner.
It was 13th placed Banbury, who beat the Tulips 4-1 in the reverse fixture, who looked most likely to score in the first period.
A crucial aspect changed shortly after the break when Ben Hart was shown his second yellow card for two ill-timed challenges.
In the 55th minute Spalding failed to clear properly, the ball falling to Luke Stokoe who finished brilliantly across the keeper.
The Tulips continued to look a threat despite being a man down but they looked set for a point until three minutes from the end of normal time.
Defender James Clifton was watching a harmless cross from the left fly over his head when Banbury player Christopher Wreh ran into the back of him.
Despite hardly any protests from the visitors the referee gave a penalty.
Wreh, the son of the former Arsenal striker with the same name, finished brilliantly to ensure Banbury did the double over Spalding.
“From our perspective we weren’t good enough,” said Dean. “We didn’t turn up like we needed to. We got away with one last week and we were off it again.
“It’s really frustrating we get to this point in the season and that side of our game leaves a lot to be desired.
“We have to control our controllables.
“We’ve got to be near on perfect and decide if it’s an important enough game for us to turn up.
“After beating Harborough, where we were exceptional, we’ve massively dropped off.
“From my perspective it’s unacceptable and we’ve got to put it right.
“I think that’s the first time this season a side’s come down and out-fought us, so we’ve let the supporters down.”
Second placed Harborough Town came from behind to win 3-2 at home to Leiston to move three points behind the Tulips but with three games in hand.
Spalding are back at the Sir Halley this coming Saturday when they host Bishop’s Stortford.
Tulips: Wilks, Hart, Olopade, Moore, Johnson, Thompson, Roberts, Bendle, McCammon, Cybulski, Ceesay. Subs: White, Fryatt Lawlor, Sani, Clifton.
Attendance: 694.
Pictures by Adrian Smith.
