Top scorer Bart Cybulski and the returning Joe Nyahwema were on target to halt Spalding United run of defeats but their team were unable to hang on for victory on Tuesday.
After three consecutive away defeats, the Tulips were confident of victory when they went 2-0 up against Brackley Town at the Sir Halley Stewart Field but conceded twice in three minutes and had to settle for a single point.
Cybulski volleyed the hosts ahead after 32 minutes and when Dan Jarvis’ run was halted, the loose ball fell for Nyahwema to rifle in a stunning shot to double the lead just before the hour mark.
However, the Northants side hit back with the introduction of substitute DJ Sturridge. He pulled one back after 64 minutes and then equalised from the penalty spot after he had been fouled. That split the points and pushed Spalding into the bottom half of the standings, three points above the drop zone, albeit it only four points off the play-offs in an incredibly tight table.
Nyahwema had marked his return to the Tulips with an impressive display on Saturday.
His creative wing play opened up the Hednesford defence but none of the chances were converted and Spalding ended up going down 2-0.
After leaving Lincolnshire, Nyahwema had a brief spell with King’s Lynn Town before moving to Australian side Dandenong Thunder and has signed at the Sir Halley Stewart Field until the end of the season.
Manager Jimmy Dean had been impressed with his team’s display before the break but was disappointed they were unable to collect three points after conceding a goal straight after the restart and again just before the end.
“In the first half we were excellent and in control,” he said. “The game plan worked perfectly and we looked in a really good place.
“We had a bit of a wobble for 10 minutes after they scored straight after the re-start, which was a terrible goal to concede.
“It took us time to settle back down and it wasn’t the time for shirking or not taking responsibility and we must do better.
“We got back together but then got caught in possession and they countered and scored to make it 2-0.
“There wasn’t a lot in it but we lacked a bit of quality and conviction.
“We need to see people flourish and not drop their heads. We didn’t do that when it got a little bit tough.”
Tulips (v Hednesford): Crook, Johnson, Bendle, Cybulski, Rose, Barton (Abbey), Fox, Byrne (Vaughan), Straughan-Brown (Jarvis), Sembie-Ferris, Nyahwema (Fowkes). Subs: Wilks, Grant, Sani. Attendance: 1,879.
Tulips (v Brackley): Crook, Kelly, Johnson, Bendle (Straughan-Brown), Cybulski (Vaughan), Barton (Fowkes), Jarvis, Fox, Byrne, Sembie-Ferris, Nyahwema (Abbey). Subs: Lovelace, Sani, Grant.
Attendance: 586.
☐ Goalkeeper Dan Wilks has left the Tulips. A club spokesman said: “The club thank Dan for his contribution to last season’s play-off promotion and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
☐ Spalding have been drawn away to Isthmian League Premier Division side Enfield Town in the second round of the FA Trophy.
The fans-owned club have beaten Hanwell Town and Hanworth Villa to reach this stage, while the Tulips had a bye, thanks to their National League North status.
The tie will be played in north London on Saturday, November 14.
Picture by Adrian Smith
