Carlton Town 1
Spalding United 2
Matt Easton admitted that he was both relieved and delighted as Spalding United won their crunch clash at Carlton Town 2-1 on Saturday.
The Tulips moved six points clear of the Evo-Stik NPL East Division drop zone after defeating their relegation rivals, with James Hugo (28) and Romario Martin (81) netting the vital goals.
Karabo Motshweni pulled one back for Carlton in added time, but Spalding held on to clinch a vital victory on the road.
Boss Easton felt his side were full value for the success and was impressed with what he saw.
“We needed that,” said the Tulips chief. “It was a very good win for us.
“I thought that we were 100 per cent full value for the victory, but am obviously relieved that we managed to get the win.
“Whoever lost this match was always going to be in a spot of bother, so I’m pleased that we got the job done.
“It was important that we got the three points, especially with a tough couple of games ahead.
“We could have been looking at being bottom in a few weeks if we’d lost this one.
“We created chances in both halves and played some good stuff on what was a difficult pitch.
“It looked a bit more like the kind of football I’ve been wanting to see from the team.
“I thought that both Brad Wells and Romario Martin looked very dangerous going forward. They went two on two against them late on and that’s how the second goal came about.
“We were also very solid at the back and really earned that win.”
Spalding started the sharper and enjoyed early possession before opening the scoring midway through the half.
Wells broke well on the left and crossed for Hugo, who expertly steered the ball into the net.
Wells worked Jack Steggles after the break, before Tulips keeper Michael Duggan was called into action to deny Kyle Stovell with his legs.
Oliver Clark headed a Motshweni corner wide and Duggan denied Kieran Walker as the hosts pushed for a leveller.
But Spalding were creating chances too and could have wrapped the points up when striker Wells lashed over when clean through and Martin fired wide when well placed.
Martin wasn’t to be denied on 81 minutes, however. He broke on the left and fired a low strike across Steggles to wrap up the points.
Tulips debutant James Cullingworth was then kicked by Riece Bertram, with the Millers man shown a red card.
That didn’t stop Motshweni lashing a late cracker into the net from the edge of the box, but Spalding held firm to climb up to the relative safety of 15th in the table.
Tulips: Duggan, Hare, Marshall, Cooper, Spafford, Misambo (Floyd 60), Moyses, Everington, Wells, Martin, Hugo (Cullingworth 82). Not used: Zuerner, White.
Attendance: 90.
