Spalding United 2
Stamford 2
Bradley Wells headed a dramatic 95th-minute leveller to earn Spalding United a potentially pivotal 2-2 derby draw with Stamford on Saturday.
Striker Wells met a whipped Kegan Everington free-kick in the dying stages of the Evo-Stik NPL East Division clash at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field and directed a perfect header into the far corner of the net.
It was his second goal of the game, having already equalised for the Tulips ten minutes from time to wipe out Rob Morgan’s eighth-minute opener.
Daniels skipper Jake Duffy thought he’d won it for the visitors with a n 85th-minute strike, but Wells – formerly of Stamford – had other ideas.
Spalding supremo Matt Easton felt a draw was the least his side deserved on the day, but was also angered by the performance of the referee after he failed to sent off visiting keeper Danny Haystead for handling outside of the area.
Easton said: “We definitely deserved something. In my opinion we were well worth a point.
“We created some chances and had a lot of possession. Stamford are a good side and very tidy in the last third, but I don’t think they created too many chances.
“I think Michael Duggan made a few saves and their keeper managed the same, so the score was probably about fair.
“I do feel that their keeper should gave been sent off, though. In reality, the ball went past him and he stuck his arm out to stop the ball.
“The referee said that we weren’t going to score, but how does he know? Our player was shoulder to shoulder with their last defender – so surely he has to send him off?
“I don’t think the referee got the big decisions right for either side, really.
“From our point of view, the game-plan was to be solid against a decent side – and I think we were pretty solid. We also created quite a bit.
“The lads are doing what I’m asking them to do at the moment. I think that, when it was 1-1, I actually thought I was happy with the point and would take it.
“Stamford are very dangerous, especially on the left-hand side and in attack. They can always get something from nothing, so I was happy with the point.
“That happened with their second goal, although I’m not quite sure when went on there.
“But we dug deep and Kegan, who put some great balls into the box, picked out Bradley’s head for the goal. Bradley has been almost unplayable recently and he’s stuck another one in the net – it was two chances, two goals for him.
“Overall, I’ve got to be happy. It just nudges us towards safety and means we’ve done what we can and we are creeping forwards.
“We’ve got a tough game next week and then no fixture the following week, so we needed something from this game.”
After an even opening at the Sir Hallley, Joe Boachie had the first attempt of the match when he curled a long range free-kick wide of Michael Duggan’s far post.
Spalding nearly found themselves ahead moments later – and in bizarre fashion. A long throw-in from the left bamboozled keeper Haystead and came back of the angle of bar and post, but Archie Moyses was unable to convert the rebound.
However, they were behind on eight minutes when the Daniels capitalised on a mistake from right back Taro Hare. With Duggan stranded and out of position, Morgan kept his cool to slot home from distance.
Play continued to switch from end-to-end, with away keeper Haystead booked for handling outside of his area and Spalding’s Everington shown a yellow for a late lunge on Michael Armstrong.
Both benches were unhappy at the colour of the respective cards shown.
A lengthy lull followed as the 100mph pace slowed a little, but Boachie was close to doubling the Stamford lead on 35 minutes when his long-range volley whistled past Duggan’s post.
After ten quiet minutes at the start of the second period, Morgan almost doubled his tally for Stamford with a powerful drive from the edge of the box – only for a sprawling Duggan to turn the ball past his near post.
The hosts needed 15 minutes of the second half to muster their first attempt on goal as Haystead routinely saved from Martin.
Duggan was called into action again with 15 minutes remaining when he kept out Boachie’s fierce near-post strike following a run and pass from goalscorer Morgan.
Spalding almost found a leveller when Kegan Everington’s rocket from the edge of the box was expertly tipped over by Haystead.
But, from the resultant corner, Wells bundled home an equaliser at the back post to haul his side level with ten minutes to play.
Parity only last for five minutes, however, as Duffy restored the Stamford lead with a poked finish after beating Duggan to the ball following a period of pressure.
It looked like the Daniels would hold on for a third win over the Tulips this season, but Wells had other ideas and met a great Everington delivery in the fifth minute of added time and headed a memorable leveller past the despairing dive of Haystead.
The bonus point moves Easton’s side up to 14th in the table and they are now seven points clear of the sole relegation position.
Tulips: Duggan, Hare, Marshall (Mettam 59), Cullingworth (Zuerner 78), Spafford, Misambo, Moyses (Floyd 78), Everington, Wells, Martin, Hugo. Not used: Acar, Smith.
Daniels: Haystead, Armstrong, Egginton, Burgess (Gurney 83), Miller, Cooks, Morgan, Duffy, Seal (Challinor 89), Boachie, Eneremadu (Marshall 70). Not used: Challinor, Tarris.
Sponsors’ MOTM: Neal Spafford.
Attendance: 225.
