A second hat-trick of the season saw Bart Cybulski leap to the top of the National League North scoring stakes.
The Tulips hit back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Spennymoor Town, after winning 2-0 against Southport on Saturday, to climb up to sixth place in the standings.
Richie Bennett capitalised on Spalding losing possession to put the hosts ahead after 30 minutes and an equaliser straight from the second-half kick-off saw Shane Byrne’s effort disallowed for offside.
A reshuffle of his ranks saw manager Jimmy Dean bring on Zaid Betteka, and Alfie Bendle and it quickly paid off when Byrne released Cybulski to level after 63 minutes.
Spennymoor pushed hard to regain their advantage but were caught out when Cybulski headed in his second after 86 minutes and he completed his hat-trick two minutes later.
Last term’s top scorer Jack Roberts continues to be the chief supplier for Spalding’s goals this season.
The ace marksman provided assists for both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Southport at the Sir Halley Stewart Field
He set up this season’s goal king Cybulski with the opener after 26 minutes and it was his saved shot after 75 minutes that allowed Doncaster Rovers loanee Sam Straughan-Brown to nod in his first goal for the Tulips.
Cybulski also had a goal disallowed after the referee judged the goalkeeper was fouled when the ball was fired home again after 35 minutes.
Spalding coach Chris Plummer was pleased with the win and said: “It was really good performance and we got the result we wanted and kept a clean sheet, which is something we wanted to improve on from last year.
“In the first half we were okay but wanted improvements and we got that in the second half.
“Bart was outstanding and dominated their centre halves. He was alive in the box.
“Straughan-Brown fizzes about all over the pitch and has got a really good turn of pace; intelligent as well for the young man he is, at 19.”
While Plummer was pleased to see the goals going into the opposition net, he said it was just as pleasing to see how solid the team was now looking defensively.
“Our defenders have been outstanding and the goalkeeper has been very good but it is across the pitch, making sure we’re set up right with a system when we’ve not got the ball.”
Tulips (v Southport): Crook, Olopade (Sembie-Ferris), Kelly, Moore, Johnson, Bendle, Roberts (Xavier-Jones), Pugh (Sani), Cybulski, Fowkes (Betteka), Byrne (Straughan-Brown). Subs: Wilks, Fox.
Attendance: 725.
Tulips (v Spennymoor): Crook, Kelly, Moore, Johnson, Roberts (Fox), Pugh, Cybulski, Fowkes (Betteka), Byrne, Straughan-Brown (Bendle), Sembie-Ferris (Grant). Subs: Wilks, Sani.
Attendance: 827.
☐ Spalding United have been drawn at home to Hanley Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, September 19.
The Northern Premier League Division One West side have played only four league games so far this season, losing once, due to their cup progress.
So far they have beaten Droitwich Spa (after a replay) and Abbey Hulton United, as well as chalking up an FA Trophy success against Coleshill.
It will be the Tulips’ first FA Cup tie, due to their higher status earning a bye to this stage.
