Spalding United host St Ives Town on New Year’s Day

Manager Jimmy Dean wants to see his Spalding United side develop a more ruthless streak as they look to continue their unbeaten run of form.

The Tulips go into their home game with St Ives on New Year's Day having not lost for six matches in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

However, four of those contests have ended in draws with Spalding sharing the spoils in their last three games against Kettering, Stamford and Saturday's 1-1 home stalemate with Bromsgrove Sporting who netted a late equaliser.

Dean said: "We've had two decent draws and, if you isolate them, you would take them against both Kettering and Stamford.

"We wanted to win on Saturday but Bromsgrove made sure that we didn't so we've got to try and win on Wednesday.

"We look expansive with the ball and play some great football. We're creating a lot of chances but we've got to put the ball into the back of the net.

"We have to kill games off because, if we're not doing that, then we're not going to win many."

The home game with St Ives is the third match in six days for sides in the Southern League Premier Division Central after a hectic festive schedule.

Just one point separates Spalding from their 12th-placed visitors in a tight league table with both sides far from clear of the danger zone but only a handful of wins away from the play-off places.

Dean added: "It's another big game for us.

"The team has got a little bit of momentum so do you change something that has been working or freshen it up and that's the decision we've faced.

"I can only ask the players and they can only be honest about how they're feeling.

"I thought for 80 minutes on Saturday that their honesty prevailed but we did look a little bit tired for the last 10.

"We also lost both Glenn Walker and Connor Brown and they are two experienced players which you need to see games out.

"We've now got a bit of daylight until the next game because two matches in 48 hours seems a bit ridiculous.

"Bromsgrove had to travel three hours and the sides in the leagues above are not doing it and, although it's the same for everyone, why are we?

"We'll dust ourselves off and try to win the next game."

Spalding will then play again on Saturday when they travel to fourth-placed Bedford Town.

The Eagles have recently signed defender Kieron Dawes from the Tulips while ex-Spalding striker Tyler Winters has joined Bedford on loan from Peterborough Sports.

James Clifton's loan from Spalding to Bedford has now expired with the Eagles stating an interest to keep him at the Eyrie if an agreement is reached with the Tulips.