Reaction from Spalding United manager Jimmy Dean after their defeat to Harborough Town

Manager Jimmy Dean admitted his Spalding United side were responsible for their own downfall after losing their crucial clash with Harborough Town on Saturday.

The Tulips went down to a 2-0 home defeat in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.

Dean was left to bemoan the two goals his side conceded in the second half as strikes from Ben Stephens and Ben Starkie secured a vital victory for the Bees.

The Spalding boss said: "I thought it was a really even game in the first half.

"We started the second half better and got in a couple of times but we've then allowed their player to walk down the left-hand side.

"We've got two people to make contact with the cross that's been put in but nobody has taken responsibility.

"It was criminal and you can't beat one of the best sides in the league if you're letting the goals in like we have.

"They had a set piece spell after that where we rode our luck a little bit but we crept back into it again but I don't know what we were doing for their second goal.

"It was a shambolic second goal to concede and we were done after that.

"We had a great chance straight after which was easier to score but that just summed up our day.

"They deserved the win and there was so much more we could have done better so we don't have to say that.

"Credit to Harborough because they're a good club with good people and I really hope they go on now and kick on into those play-offs because I've got a lot of time for the people there.

"We were responsible for our downfall though."

The opening period had been goalless with neither side creating many chances.

However, Ben Stephens swept home a Starkie cross 11 minutes into the second half before the former Spalding player latched onto a ball over the top to seal the win with 15 minutes remaining.

Maniche Sani had a good chance to cut the deficit shortly after the second goal but was unable to convert an inviting cross from substitute Jack Roberts.

Dean added: "We were worse at the percentages and they beat us without being great themselves.

"I knew that we would have to play better than them to win the game whereas, if we didn't do that, it probably favoured them because of the threats which they carry.

"I thought we came out really well for the second half and for 10 minutes were really good but we gave away such a bad goal.

"You can't give away two goals like we did and accept to take anything from the game."

The defeat keeps Spalding in ninth spot, seven points adrift of the play-offs with eight games remaining.