Spalding United 1
Rugby Town 1
Boss Marcus Ebdon admitted that his Spalding United side were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw against Evo-Stik NPL Division One South play-off rivals Rugby Town on Saturday.
The Tulips led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a fine strike from Dan Banister on 18 minutes, but were pegged back by Kevin Thornton’s clinical finish ten minutes into the second half.
It was the visitors who enjoyed much the better of the chances throughout the game, with home keeper Michael Duggan putting in a man-of-the-match performance to keep them at bay.
The big talking point came in the final minute, with Rugby’s Jake Healy denied a winner direct from a corner after a perceived foul on Spalding’s Duggan.
Tulips chief Ebdon felt the referee got that decision right, but did concede that the visitors were the better side at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
“I thought it was a definite foul at the end,” said the former Peterborough United professional. “The referee blew his whistle quite a long time before the ball actually went in the net.
“But, to be honest, I thought they were the better side. I thought Michal Duggan did really well in goal – especially considering he was really ill the night before the game.
“He was even throwing up before the game, so I thought he was different class for us – they peppered our goal throughout the game.
“I am happy with a point to be honest. Duggan was our star man – if that’s how he plays when he’s ill, he can be ill every game!
“The big problem is that the draw does nothing for either side. They had the upper hand in the second half for sure, we didn’t get anywhere near our first-half performance.
“I don’t think we showed enough intensity in the second half – and hat has been our problem all season.
“I keep telling the lads they we need to play for 90 minutes, not just odd halves. It’s a shame, as when we put two good halves together there are few teams than can match us.”
With new signing Joe Curtis making his debut and defender Neal Spafford back from a long-term hamstring problem, Spalding’s starting line-up was as strong as it has been in weeks.
Play-off rivals Rugby started much the better, but were unable to create any meaningful chances.
In contrast, the Tulips grabbed the opener from their first piece of attacking play as Banister brilliantly volleyed home a great angled pass from Dan Lawlor. He took it first time with the outside of his boot, directing the ball low into the net.
The opener seemed to reinvigorate the hosts, who almost went 2-0 ahead when Curtis was unfortunate not to get onto a dangerous cross striker James Tricks.
Rugby finally created a meaningful chance on the half hour, as Mitch Piggon’s close-range effort was somehow saved by Duggan, before Callum Powell turned the rebound onto the outside of the post.
Tom Waumsley hit the side-netting with a hopeful effort soon after, but it was Rugby who ended the half on the front foot with the dangerous Piggon just unable to get his head onto a dangerous ball into the box.
The away side carried that momentum into the second period and were unlucky not the level when Thornton’s 25-yard free kick whistled past Duggan’s post.
There was no stopping Thornton on 55 minutes, however, as the striker was given too much space in the penalty area to slot home the equaliser at the back from from close in.
From then on you felt Rugby would go on and win the game. Duggan showed great hands to deny Callum Powell at his near post, before Piggon had a goal ruled out for offside following a sweeping break.
Tricks did fire a half-volley just over as Spalding did their best to grab a winner, but the visitors continued to create the better chances.
Away skipper Steve Towers saw a deflected 20-yard drive dip just over, while sub David Kolodynski sent a lob wide having raced clean through and found Duggan off his line.
There was drama in the final minute, too. A defensive header from Tulips sub Ellis Humble looked to be heading for the top corner of his own net – only for Duggan to pull off the save of the match to turn it over.
Then, from the resulting corner, Healy’s corner went straight into the net after a scramble on the middle. But referee Andy Park blew his whistle for a foul on keeper Duggan, leaving the visitors furious and Spalding a little relived.
The draw wasn’t ideal for either side, who remain six points behind Lincoln United in the final play-off position.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford (Humble 69), Stainfield, Murphy, Banister, Lawlor, Waumsley, Tricks (Sanders 78), Curtis (Lockie 78). Not used: Hussey
Sponsors’ MOTM: Duggan.
Attendance: 152.
RESULTS
Evo-Stik League
First Division South: Chasetown 1 Shaw Lane Aquaforce 2; Gresley 1 Coalville Town 3; Kidsgrove Athletic 1 Basford United 4; Leek Town 1 Sheffield FC 0; Lincoln United 2 Belper Town 2; Loughborough Dynamo 2 Daventry Town 0; Market Drayton Town 2 Goole 1; Romulus 2 Newcastle Town 1; Spalding United 1 Rugby Town 1; Stocksbridge Park Steels 1 Stafford Rangers 2; Tividale 0 Carlton Town 3.
