SLEAFORD TOWN 1 SPALDING UNITED 1: Pat Rayment has vowed to ring the changes after Spalding’s title hopes took a massive hit at Eslaforde Park on Tuesday night.
A second-half Francis Green strike cancelled out Ryan Oliver’s early opener, but the draw leaves the Tulips ten points adrift of UCL Premier Division leaders St Ives Town.
To make matters worse, teenage winger Tom James was one of two players to be sent off in the second half of the derby.
Although Spalding were faced with another side showing little or no attacking intent, Rayment has laid the blame firmly at the door of his attacking players.
With that in mind, he’s agreed a deal to sign Eastwood Town’s TJ Nightingale – and plans to hand him a debut at Yaxley on Saturday (3pm).
The Spalding supremo said: “I’m disappointed with the result, but not surprised.
“Yet again, we’ve seen a team show no attacking intent against us. I wonder if they’ll play like that against the other title contenders? I doubt it.
“But hey, fair play to them. I’m concerned with my team and the fact our front four aren’t firing at all. I’ve got the resources to make changes and that’s what I’m going to do – starting this Saturday.”
With Sleaford intent on defending for their lives, it was a bitter blow for Spalding to ship an early opener to Oliver’s fifth-minute looping header.
Spalding bossed possession, but could only find the net once through Green’s low drive on 46 minutes.
Sleaford’s Luke Hollingworth and Tulip James were both dismissed in separate incidents as tempers flared, with “TJ” seeing red for foul and/or abusive language.
Tulips: Drury, Doherty, Earls, Chamberlain, Smedley, Steadman, James, Hall, Green, Tolley, Cotton (Kennedy).