The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 0
Spalding United 0
(Diamonds win 6-5 on penalties)
Former Tulip Jake Newman sent Spalding United crashing out of the Integro League Cup on Tuesday night.
Striker Newman, who was prolific under former boss Marcus Ebdon, scored the crucial penalty for AFC Rushden and Diamonds in a 6-5 shoot-out win over the Tulips following a 0-0 draw.
Nathan Whitehead, Kern Miller, Nathan Stainfield, Matt Varley and Brad Barraclough all scored in the shoot-out to take it to sudden death – but Jordan Lemon saw his spot-kick saved by Ben Heath.
Newman held his nerve to convert the winning penalty and send Diamonds into round four.
On what was a tight contest, Brad Wells headed a great early chance wide for Spalding at the Dog and Duck.
The Tulips also went close when Whitehead headed wide and then they rattled the woodwork before the break as the sides turned around level.
Diamonds stepped it up after the interval and Taylor Orosz missed a one-on-one, before later sending a looping effort wide.
That man Orosz went close again when his drive was deflected over late on.
Spalding played the last ten minutes without Paul Walker, who was forced off with an injury.
They now move on to a tough Evo-Stik NPL Division One South trip to Leek Town on Saturday (3pm).
Tulips: Walton, Walker, Jackson, Stainfield, Miller, Lemon, Varley, Whitehead, Beeson (Higginson), Mettam (Barraclough), Wells (Lockie). Not used: Fleming, Duggan.
