Spalding United 1
Romulus 1
Chris Rawlinson admitted he was happy enough with a share of the spoils as Spalding United were held to a 1-1 draw by basement side Romulus on Saturday.
The Tulips, eight points clear of their Evo-Stik NPL First Division South relegation rivals at the start of play, led 1-0 at the break thanks to Conor Marshall’s 21st-minute strike.
Keeper Michael Duggan saved Zak Lilly’s 35th-minute penalty to preserve Spalding’s lead, but was beaten by a great header from Stephen Palmer 14 minutes from time.
The Tulips weren’t at their best at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field and even had to endure a bit of in-fighting in the second period, but a draw represents a decent return for the boys in blue.
Rawlinson accepted that the game wasn’t a classic, but felt it was vital his side didn’t suffer a defeat.
“It wasn’t one for the purist,” admitted the Tulips chief. “But it never was going to be down here.
“It probably wasn’t the most attractive game for the and what have you, but the pitch isn’t in the greatest state.
“I felt we were disappointing in the second half, but I did feel we were good value for being ahead in the first half.
“I didn’t think it was a penalty for them. Duggy made a mistake, but got himself out of it.
“They were always dangerous from set-plays but, to be fair, I thought all of our back five were excellent and dealt with them well.
“They just switched off from one and their boy had a free header.
“But, I think our discipline between ourselves – not wishing to name names or anything – let us down.
“I don’t know what brought it on, but quite clearly we had a few players fall out. It affected their play, to be honest.
“Some will argue that I should have brought them both off, but I didn’t really have the options on the bench to do that.
“I felt we let personal issues in the midfield, not anywhere else on the pitch affect us and their levels of energy dropped.
“Look, I challenged the boys to make sure they didn’t get beat today. Not getting beat was the main focus for us.
“They equalised with 15 minutes to go and I’ve seen games where the other side pops up with a last minute winner.
“I’m pleased with the point, we’ve not drawn enough games.
“Four points of Romulus this season is OK and it’s another game unbeaten at home.
“We’ve got to 30 points now – and 40 points is the target. Maybe the fans will think we should be setting our goals higher, but let’s get to that and see where things go from there.”
Romulus enjoyed the better start at the Sir Halley, going close twice inside the opening few minutes.
The first was a blocked header from a free-kick, while the second saw Lilly’s close-range strike deflected off target.
The visitors continued to create the better chances early on and went even close on 12 minutes when Palmer nodded Kris Taylor’s free-kick just wide of the far post.
They were made to pay for not taking their chances, with Spalding netting their first opportunity of the afternoon on 21 minutes.
A cross from James Hugo on the left somehow found a way past Romulus keeper Curtis Hall, allowing right wing back Marshall to tap into the empty net at the back post.
The Roms were unlucky not to level when another great delivery from Taylor picked out Malachi Farquharson at the back post, but he nodded into the side netting.
If they were unlucky to be behind, Romulus only had themselves to blame on 35 minutes when they wasted a golden chance to get back on level terms.
Michael Duggan got fingertips to a Taylor corner and the ball dropped to Farquharson, who was tripped by Neal Spafford for a penalty.
Lilly stepped up, but his strike was expertly saved by Duggan, who palmed the ball away to his right-hand side.
The second half began in a scrappy manner, but it was again Romulus who fashioned the first presentable opening. It fell to sub Kartel O’Neill-Martin, but he fired straight at Duggan from close range.
The pressure finally told on 76 minutes when Palmer met a Taylor corner with a powerful header that picked out the top corner.
Romulus could now smell blood and they were almost in for a second when Jordan Francis raced through and rounded Duggan, only to run out of pitch.
Spalding did apply some pressure late on and went close when Lee Beeson’s inswinging corner wreaked havoc, but in the end the spoils were shared.
Tulips: Duggan, Marshall, Jackson, Humble, Spafford, Fixter, Beeson, King, Hugo, Tricks (Couzens 78), Acar (Lockie 70). Not used: Neil.
Attendance: 111.
Sponsors’ MOTM: James Hugo.
