Fuming boss Dave Frecklington has lashed out at his players after seeing them struggle against ten men once again on Saturday.
The Tulips chief watched on in despair as Newcastle Town came from 1-0 down with ten men to beat his side 2-1 on Saturday.
It’s the latest in a string of bizarre showings from Spalding against sides who have had a man dismissed.
The same happened against AFC Rushden and Diamonds two weeks ago, while both Bedworth United and Market Drayton Town have also launched comebacks against Frecklington’s side while down to ten men.
The Tulips boss is equally angered by the fact his charges once again passed up the chance to go top of the table by, in his words, “capitulating” on Saturday.
“It’s getting silly now,” said the former Lincoln United manager. “Teams seem to know that we can’t play against ten.
“We had two great training sessions in the week and the lads worked on all sorts – including how to play against a side who are a man down.
“We also changed the shape and went for the element of surprise with a 3-5-2. In fairness, it worked really well from the off.
“We looked comfortable and solid at 1-0 up, but the game changed when they had their man sent off.
“We fell to pieces and just stopped playing. It’s as if we’re mentally scarred by playing against ten.
“I think back to Bedworth, Market Drayton – albeit we won that one – and Rushden and Diamonds.
“I’m absolutely embarrassed by these capitulations, it’s not something my teams are ever associated with.
“It’s so, so strange and I’m pretty ashamed of how we’ve been folding in such a bizarre way.
“I don’t know if the teams are just gambling against us as they have nothing to lose, or if we’re just mentally gone.
“Do you know what else really hurts? We had a second chance to go top of the table on Saturday and we blew it.
“These kind of chances don’t come along very often and we’ve passed up two.
“You get what you deserve in this league and we’re just not performing at the moment.
“We’ve got great players for the level, but things are bang average at present.”
Frecklington is hoping that Spalding will get back to winning ways at Carlton Town in the Integro League Cup on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
