Ilkeston Town 0
Spalding United 0
Spalding United halted their run of three successive defeats in all competitions with a superb BetVictor NPL South East Division draw at Ilkeston Town on Tuesday night.
The Tulips had the better of the chances in Derbyshire, but were unable to find an elusive goal in the absence of key strikers Jenk Acar and Jamie Jackson.
As result of their first draw of the season, Spalding move into ninth place in the early standings – with boss Matt Easton delighted with what he saw from his side.
He said: “Let’s make no bones about it, we made the trip without five or six first team regulars.
“I’m absolutely made up with the performance and delighted with a point. If we hadn’t drawn, the losing run could have gone on for a few more games – it’s massive.
“We had our chances on the night, especially in the first half. It was a bit more backs to the wall in the second half, but we held on for a great point.
“I thought Joel Brownhill led the line superbly and Ben Greenwood shielded the back four, who were also great, very well.
“I’m also very proud of George Zuerner for putting in a real shift for the side when he probably wasn’t ready.
“We’ve probably lost him for Saturday’s game now, but I thought he did an incredible job for the team.”
In a first half that was lacking in both quality and chances, Spalding fashioned the first on 12 minutes – only for Scott Floyd to curl his effort just over.
The same player produced the game’s maiden effort on goal, firing straight at Richard Stainsby on the half-hour.
Zuerner also went close just before the break, but fired wide after some slack home defending.
That man Zuerner then forced a save from Floyd’s cross and curled a strike just wide as the Tulips knocked on the door early in the second half.
An even better chance fell to Floyd on 68 minutes after a great Lewis Brownhill pass, but the right-sider blazed over when through.
At the other end, Michael Duggan’s first save came 15 minutes from time when Ilkeston piled on the pressure with three corners on the spin.
Spalding were scheduled to have this weekend off, but now face a trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels (3pm).
Easton isn’t overly happy with the next fixture, given that Jackson, Charlie Hart, Archie Moyses, Josh Spencer and now Zuerner will all miss the clash – although they are boosted by Acar’s return.
Easton added: “I think we would have all benefited from a weekend off, but it wasn’t to be I’m afraid.
“It’s a tough game when we’re at full strength, but we’ll have to go there with half a side missing again.
“There’s nothing we can do about it and we’ll just have to try and dig out another result like we did at Ilkeston.”
The Tulips also host Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday (7.45pm) and have been drawn at home against Gainsborough Trinity in the Integro League Cup on September 17 (7.45pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Hare, Hugo, Richards, Spafford, Greenwood, Floyd, Everington, Zuerner (Holliday 78), L Brownhill, J Brownhill.
Attendance: 389.
