Lincoln Utd 1 Spalding Utd 1: Goalkeeper Michael Duggan turned in a five-star performance to ensure the Tulips’ long unbeaten run remained intact at Ashby Avenue on Boxing Day.
Duggan was prominent throughout an often bruising encounter but really earned his money in the closing stages as The Whites threw caution to the wind in an attempt to turn home advantage into three vital Evo-Stik League points.
With the scores level following a couple of second-half penalties, Lincoln – managed by former Tulip Dave Frecklington – thought they had succeeded as the game entered the closing stages, finally getting the ball past the inspired Duggan. But their celebrations were short-lived with a raised flag on the touchline indicating a handball offence.
They bombarded the Tulips’ goal after this but were continually frustrated by a rock solid defence and with Duggan pulling off some stunning saves.
After the game, one Lincoln official commented that it had been a game as in times past, full of end to end action – a typical Boxing Day encounter. Full of action it was but without the footballing flair, on a seemingly “fast” playing surface, that many of the 196 fans in the ground were truly expecting from two teams full of expectation of featuring the play-offs come the end of season.
The Tulips were within inches of taking a 15th minute lead. A long pass back by a defender was completely missed by an advancing Robert Peet and the ball zipped towards goal only to make contact with a post and go behind for a corner.
Minutes later Jack McGovern connected with the ball on the turn and saw it go inches over the bar and then Chris Hall forced ‘keeper Peet into a full stretch save. When the home team ventured forward they invariably met the “stone wall”, the Tulips pairing of Nathan Stainfield and Jamie Stevens, to deny them.
Challenges and tackles were bruising on occasions and one of these saw Tom Waumsley emerge after treatment by physio Sam Seal with the makings of a beautiful black eye. Still feeling groggy, he failed to appear for the second half, being replaced by Andrew Tidswell.
Another casualty was Jordan Hempenstall who limped out with bruised ribs midway in the second half.
The introduction of Tidswell brought the opening goal of the game. He was unceremoniously brought down as he jinked into the home area and Jamie Thurlbourne converted the 52nd-minute penalty.
When Lincoln replied, Michael Duggan came to the Tulips’ rescue with a fine save, the first of many, at the expense of a corner. The 64th minute forced him in the action limelight again, this time to deny the ever-dangerous Daniel Brooks, but as the ball ran free Nathan Stainfield was adjudged to have impeded a home player and referee Mark Jones pointed to the spot. Brooks stepped up to level the scores.
While the Tulips had enjoyed the better possession in the early part of the game it was Lincoln who pulled the strings late on, and a draw was the fairest possible result.
Tulips boss Pat Rayment conceded that his side had had something of an off-day, even though it stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 matches and 29 points from a possible 33.
He said: “We were nowhere near where we have been.
“Our standards dropped and I have to say couple of players didn’t perform well enough. But Lincoln United are a decent side – they have a nice balance and work hard.
“A draw was a fair result.
“Andrew Tidswell has done well to draw the foul for the penalty and when it went in, the match had 1-0 all over it but the ref has given the other penalty.
“Nathan Stainfield is adamant it never was one. It was one of those where he has won the ball and the player has gone over his leg.
“I have to say that, from the sidelines, it looked clumsy.”
Tulips: Duggan, Leary, Jackson, Stevens, Stainfield, McGovern, Griffiths (Clarke 86mins), Hall, Waumsley (Tidswell 45mins), Hempenstall (Oliver 65mins, Thurlbourne. Subs (not used Nuttell, Pycroft.
MoM: Duggan.
Att: 196.
Last Sunday’s scheduled match at home to league leaders was postponed on Saturday due to snow on the pitch.
On Thursday, they host Carlton Town (3pm).
