A Jack Roberts goal shortly before the break was enough to return Spalding United to wining ways in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.
The Tulips’ trip to AFC Sudbury on Saturday was one of only three games to go ahead in the league this week.
With Harborough Town having both of their games called off it means Spalding are back to being four points clear but the Leicestershire side in second have four games in hand.
Roberts’ goal, where he pounced on a poor clearance before firing home from the edge of the area, may prove important however.
For Tulips manager Jimmy Dean it was a case of digging in and winning ugly after dropping points at home to both Banbury and Bishop’s Stortford.
“It wasn’t a style you’d associate with us that much, but it was really important to keep a clean sheet and not concede silly goals,” said Dean. “They’ll be frustrated with the goal they gave us.
“It was good from our side but then we’ve missed four or five one-on-ones as well and if they’d gone it would have felt like a more enjoyable afternoon rather than seeing us defending our box in injury time, which we did well.
“Sudbury have lost seven straight in the league but their performances haven’t reflected that. I feel for them a little bit.
“We’ve dropped points recently and we lacked a bit of conviction at times.
“A win changes that.”
White and Lawlor came in to the side after the defeat at home to Bishop’s Stortford with Sembie-Ferris dropping to the bench while Curtis Thompson is injured.
“We conceded two very poor goals from set pieces last week,” Dean said. “They were hugely preventable goals caused by people not concentrating on the position they should be in.
“So we’ve changed a few things and I don’t remember Sudbury having a chance.
“We’ve given a bit away attacking, being more defensive, but I still think we should have had another three or four.
“We had to win. I didn’t care how we got it.”
After finding it a struggle against sides lower in the table in recent weeks, this Saturday Spalding host an Alvechurch side just above the relegation zone before then travelling to bottom of the table Royston.
“We’ve got to be at it, because if we’re not, we’ve already seen quite a few times this season, we’ll come unstuck,” continued Dean. “We owe the fans one.
“The last two performances at home we weren’t at it.
“There’s still loads to play for this season.
“We’re trying to win the league and if we don’t get that then we’ll almost certainly be going for it in the play-offs.”
Tulips: Wilks, White, Olopade, Moore, Johnson, Lawlor, Roberts, McCammon, Cybulski, Sani, Ceesay. Subs: Hart, Bendle, Sembie-Ferris, Clifton.
Attendance: 244.
