Rawlinson: Draw would have been fairer on Spalding United after strong second-half

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 1
SPALDING UNITED 0

Chris Rawlinson felt his Spalding United side did enough to take away a point from much-fancied Frickley on Tuesday night.

Instead, the Tulips suffered a 1-0 loss in the Evo-Stik NPL First Division clash thanks to an early Carl Stewart effort (6).

The defeat ends Spalding’s four-game unbeaten run, but boss Chris Rawlinson – who felt his side bossed the second half – was keen to take the positives from the loss.

“It was very, very tight,” reflected Rawlinson. “I thought they were the better side in the first half.

“But we were much better in the second half, so a draw would have probably been the right result. I’m very happy with what I saw from the squad, regardless of the loss.

“To travel without five players meant we had to change things up, but the lads gave a good account of themselves.

“Frickley are – quite rightly – considered one of the favourites.

“So if we can go there without five players and play like that, I think we’re looking OK.

“We had chances to hurt them, but just made a few too many bad decisions in the final third.”

Jamie McGhee had the only shot on target for the Tulips in the first half after they fell behind, while Gary King put two decent chances off target.

After the break Spalding were much-improved, with Nathan Whitehead seeing an effort tipped over and Bradley Maslen-Jones sending a deflected effort just wide.

Spalding, now sixth in the table, play host to tenth-placed Chasetown this Saturday (3pm).

Rawlinson is without the suspended Matt Varley, Jonny Lockie, Bradley Maslen-Jones and Connor Marshall for that Sir Halley showdown, while McGhee has picked up a knock.

Jordan Lemon should return after missing the Frickley loss.

Tulips: Duggan, Townrow (Fletcher 78), Spafford, Humble, A Jackson, McGhee (Millington 60), Maslen-Jones (Reittie 77), Whitehead, Acar, J Jackson, King. Not used: Walker, Smith.

Attendance: 247.