It was just three weeks ago that Marcus Ebdon insisted that he would not let Spalding United’s season fizzle out.
But the manager and the fans saw the evidence in a 2-0 defeat to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday to suggest it is doing just that.
The Tulips – normally pretty solid at home – are limping towards the season end on Saturday week.
Goals from Ben Rhodes (24) and Joe Lumsden (80) was more than enough to maintain the slim play-off hopes for Stocksbridge, who only arrived 20 minutes before kick-off.
The visitors were even comfortable enough to finish the match with nine players after two yellow cards for Matthew Reay and a straight red for Corey Gregory for violent conduct.
Tulips’ Sam Murphy was also sent off for serious foul play in second-half stoppage time.
Ebdon said: “It was very poor – not enough of our players were at it. We had four or five who were really off their game and Stocksbridge came here with 11 players really at it.
“It was the last ten minutes of the first half before we got going and then we played some nice stuff, but you can’t play ten minutes of a first half.
“We want to finish on a high so we’ll have to get them up for these last two games.”
Tulips: Duggan, Spafford, Jackson, Murphy, Stainfield, Lawlor, Banister, Curtis, Eason (Butland 83), Sanders (Waumsley 60), Walker.
Tulips’ MOTM: Jackson
Attendance: 71
The Tulips head to Newcastle Town on Saturday before the final match at home to Leek Town on Saturday, April 23.
That match will be followed by the club’s end of season awards do in the clubhouse. All welcome (presentations around 8pm).
