A last-gasp Steve Boon equaliser denied Spalding United Reserves their first win since December as they were held 1-1 at Stamford Belvedere on Saturday.
Although Tulips chief Kev Nottingham will be pleased with what he saw from his side in the ChromaSport PDFL Division One clash, the late leveller was a real kick in the teeth after an improved performance.
Spalding almost fell behind early on when Luke Cramp saw his fairly timid effort cleared off the line by Jordan Haw after he got the better of stand-in keeper Jason Chilvers.
From then on, the first half produced few clear cut chances. Spalding skipper Dave Endersbee went closest for the visitors with a 20-yard strike that was well saved by Ricardo Pozella.
That second half was much more open, with the Tulips having the upper hand. Forwards Daniel Klos and Josh McGuire proved a real nuisance to the home defence – and it was no surprise to see them combine to set up the opener.
McGuire picked the ball up in the final third and played a clever reverse pass down the right to Klos, who bullied his way past the left back and the covering centre half to fire a low cross into the near post. This was cleared but only as far as Jake Farrell, who fizzed a half-volley under the keeper.
After that McGuire, Klos and Endersbee all had chances to double the Spalding lead before the late sickener.
Boon pounced to prod home a corner from close range, denying Spalding the win they desperately desired. To make matters worse, the Tulips felt keeper Chilvers was fouled.
Adam Braybrook fired a last minute free kick over the bar in stoppage time as the Tulips were forced to settle for a point.
Spalding Res: Chilvers, Haw, Phillips, Haw, Nichols, Newton, Endersbee, Rose (Britton), Braybrook, Farrell (Costa), McGuire, Klos.
- Crowland Town picked up a 3-2 PDFL Premier Division win at Thorney on Saturday to move out of the bottom two.
In Division One, a double from ace goal-getter Matty Cawthorn earned Long Sutton Athletic a 2-2 home draw against King’s Cliffe.
At the same level, Declan Earth and Martin Sandall netted to clinch Moulton Harrox Reserves a 2-2 draw of their own at second-placed Stamford Lions.
In Division Two, Jordan Clow was sent off as Spalding Town lost 2-1 at Peterborough Polonia.
Dean Grummitt got their goal, but Polonia’s winner came in the 88th minute.
Down in Division Three, Tim Lowe’s strike couldn’t stop Tydd St Mary losing 2-1 at Farcet United.
Long Sutton Reserves were thrashed 5-0 at Stanground Reserves in Division Four, while Holbeach Bank were also clobbered 4-1 at FC Peterborough.
Holbeach United A cruised to a 9-0 Division Five win over KRC Deeping thanks to goals from Rob Lewsley (3), Jon Clark (2), Dexter Facey (2), Alex Finch and Joe Millinson.
