Loughborough Dynamo 2
Spalding United 2
Two moments of magic helped Spalding United secure a deserved 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Loughborough Dynamo in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South on Saturday.
It looked liked the play-off chasing Tulips were heading for a disappointing defeat when Kevin Hemagou bagged a quick-fire first-half double for lowly Loughborough (10 & 19) at the Nanpantan Sports Ground.
However, a long range screamer from Adam Jackson and Jamie Graham’s 75th-minute effort hauled Marcus Ebdon’s side level, before a top notch Michael Duggan save from Alfie Taylor in the final minute secured them a share of the spoils.
The save was dubbed “world class” by Spalding director of football Bob Don-Duncan – and boss Ebdon agreed with that assessment.
“We were absolutely awful in the first half,” said the Tulips chief. “I thought the side was absolutely unrecognisable.
“I had to give them a bit of a roasting, but we did come out and show what we’re about in the second half.
“Jacko’s goal was an absolute beauty, while Duggy pulled off an incredible save at the end.
“Saying that, for a side that wants to be in the play-offs, it’s definitely two points lost for us.”
Playing on a beautiful pitch akin to a bowling green, Spalding could have gone ahead on seven minutes when Dan Banister rattled the woodwork following a blocked effort from Josh Moreman.
It was the home team who snatched the advantage on ten minutes, though, with the lively and tricky Hemagou, turning defenders on their heels before giving keeper Duggan no chance with is strike.
Nine minutes later the same player increased the home lead – and relegation threatened Dynamo were dancing.
Tulips boss Marcus Ebdon made a tactical change after 28 minutes, with Kieron Davies making way for Tom Waumsley.
There was almost an immediate impact from last season’s leading scorer too, as Waumsley forced Dynamo shot-stopper James Martin to save at the second attempt.
After the break Ebdon was forced to make another chance, with Neal Spafford taken off with a knee ligament injury that could see him miss six weeks.
That didn’t stop Spalding launching their comeback, with Martin forced to tip a header from skipper Nathan Stainfield over the bar.
Full back Jackson then reduced the deficit on 67 minutes with a perfectly weighted lofted delivery from fully 35 yards that sailed into the top corner.
Graham, a 63rd-minute replacement for Charley Sanders, then bagged the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining with a firm, far-post header from a Moreman cross. Sadly, that assist looks like being Moreman’s final act in a Spalding shirt.
The striker moved to Peterborough Sports on Monday.
Neither side could find a winner, although Duggan’s last-gasp heroics to deny Taylor ensured that the Tulips’ comeback wasn’t in vain.
The draw sees Spalding drop a further place in the table to seventh.
Tulips: Duggan, Walker, Jackson, Spafford (Humble 55), Stainfield, Murphy, Banister, Lawlor, Sanders (Graham 63), Moreman, Davies (Waumsley 29). Not used: Lee.
MOTM: Stainfield.
Attendance: 81.
