Spalding United came back from an opening day loss to Real Bedford on Saturday to earn a point against Harborough Town on Tuesday night.
The Pitching in Southern Premier League Central fixture list, plus the Sir Halley Stewart playing service not being ready yet, meant that the Tulips opened with tough fixtures against sides they’re expected to be challenging alongside at the top this season.
On Saturday Spalding were left to rue missed chances as they went down 2-1 to Real Bedford
The Tulips started well and could have been 2-0 up in the first 10 minutes, including Josh Roberts putting a one-on-one wide.
He did though give the Tulips the lead on the half hour after a brilliant ball through by Connor Johnson.
Two further chances came and went for the forward before McCammon had his shot saved when he might have passed to Ceesay for a tap in.
On the stroke of half time Bedford levelled, taking advantage of Spalding hesitancy and ball from the left was headed home by Evans.
Five minutes after the break he put his side in the lead, this time finishing well with a volley after a cross from the right.
Spalding still had chances but found Bedford keeper Tyler McGregor in fine form and he was chosen as the man of the match by the home side.
Tulips manager Jimmy Dean described it as ‘a tough one to take.’
“We’ve had a lot of chances, some were open goals, one-on-ones, rebounds.
“We need to give Bedford a bit of credit. They’re a good side who moved the ball really well.
“For the main part if felt like we had decent control of the game.
“The difference was when they go into the penalty areas they looked clinical.”
Dean said his side should have scored themselves just before the break, but then conceded the equaliser with virtually the last kick of the half.
“That was the key moment. We’re going in feeling we’re 2-0 or 3-0 up and then there’s a 50/50 decision that went their way.
“We let them play it quick while we’re arguing with the ref.
“There’s no pressure on the ball so we let them play it through and Cashmore has got to do better.
“The first one, like the second, is a free contact a yard from the goal.”
Against Harborough on Tuesday, Spalding took a first half lead after James Clifton headed home a corner from the former Wimbledon midfielder Alfie Bendle.
The Tulips were able to carve out some decent chances in a very closely fought game, but Harborough earned an equaliser 15 minutes from time their manager Mitch Austin felt they deserved.
Josh Walsh scored with a strike from distance into the corner beating Northampton Town loanee James Dadge between the sticks.
Next up for Spalding United is a trip to Bromsgrove on Saturday.
Tulips v Real Bedworth: Dadge, Hart, Cashmore, Moore, Johnson, Lawlor, Roberts, Bendle, Cybulski, McCammon, Ceesay. Subs: Clifton, Blythe, Nicholson, Sembie-Ferris, Sheriff.
Attendance: 523
Tulips v Harborough Town: Dadge, Hart, Cashmore, Moore, Johnson, Lawlor, Roberts, Bendle, Cybulski, McCammon, Ceesay. Subs: Clifton, Blythe, Nicholson, Sembie-Ferris, Sheriff.
Attendance: 604
