Spalding United manager Elliot Sandy says his players answered a few questions as they returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Quorn on Saturday.
Two goals in the last seven minutes from James Clifton ensured that Spalding took the points at the Sir Halley Stewart in front of another good crowd of 382.
“I asked them to stand up and be counted and show what they’re about,” Sandy said. “Myself and the players are being questioned.
“I said to them they need to show what good players they are.”
“It was a bit nervy to start with in the first half.
“In the first half we had a couple of chances and they had a couple but we really got into them in the second half.
“I said to the players at the break, we’ve got 45 minutes, lets not be afraid to win the game as that’s how we’ve been for the past few weeks.
“They got a goal but I’m d delighted with the character we showed to bounce back.
“Hopefully it’s a bit of the weight off the shoulders to say we’ve got that win.
“We’re still right there in the mix.”
The first half was an even affair but Spalding were unlucky not to go ahead several times in a goal mouth scramble during which Jordan Graham hit the bar.
Riley O’Sullivan did brilliantly to win the ball high up and his effort beat the keeper but was cleared by the defender on the line.
Courey Grantham hit the bar too for Quorn after a counter while Ben Heath made a brilliant save from Tyrell Shannon-Lewis.
It was Sam Cartwright who gave Spalding the lead six minutes into the second half.
He got in front of his marker to head home a free kick from the left at close range.
Quorn kept coming and levelled matters when Grantham slotted home a low ball in from the right in the 72nd minute.
The game turned on an 83rd minute. Sub Zayne Hakeem showed great strength to win the ball and put O’Sulivan through, the referee deciding Quorn’s Jordan Gough didn’t win the ball when tackling from the side.
Graham made no mistake from the spot .
He sealed the win late pouncing after O’Sullivan’s mazy run ended with a shop saved to the keeper’s right.
Tulips: Heath, Westwood, Warburton, Walker, Cartwright, Freeman, Barker, Clifton, O’Sullivan, Graham, Draper. Subs: Hilliard, Stainfield, Ngwa, Snedden, Hakeem.
Attendance: 382.
