Holbeach United face two successive Thurlow Nunn League matches against Wivenhoe Town

Holbeach United manager Callum Lawe is hoping his side can use an excellent midweek performance as a springboard for two crucial Thurlow League clashes.

The Tigers took higher level Harrowby United to penalties on Tuesday night in the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy tie at the Fruehauf Stadium.

The match had finished goalless after 90 minutes before their United Counties League Premier Division North hosts prevailed 4-3 on spot kicks.

Holbeach now return to Division One North action on Saturday with the first of two back-to-back matches against Wivenhoe Town.

They make the trip to Essex on Saturday before hosting the Dragons in a return match at Carter's Park seven days later.

Lawe said: "It was a brilliant performance on Tuesday and we couldn't have asked for a better response after losing on Saturday.

"Keeping the clean sheet in normal time was a real key thing for us because it was our first one of the season.

"We were really happy with the performance and the attitude of the lads and our next two league games are really big ones.

"They are really important and we need to be looking at taking a minimum of four points from the two games because we need to keep creating that daylight between ourselves and the teams behind us.

"The sort of performance on Tuesday night gives us confidence going into the games."

Harrowby had started the brighter of the two teams on Tuesday night and it needed an excellent save from Holbeach goalkeeper Jack Sellars to prevent the home side from taking the lead.

The Tigers then started to grow into the contest and, as the match progressed, created some decent openings in the second half.

However, neither side were able to find the breakthrough and two saves in the shoot-out from home goalkeeper Yinka Adebowale sent the Arrows through to the last eight.

The Tigers have brought defender Luke Nicholson back to the club on a month's dual registration from United Counties League side Wisbech Town.

Lawe commented: "We want to keep raising the standard of the group and Luke is a great character to add to the changing room.

"I think it shows our intentions of where we want to get the club back to because we're ambitious as a club."

Holbeach also have Ollie Williams on their books after joining under a similar arrangement with the Fenmen.