Spalding United beat Lye Town in the Northern Premier League
Second half goals from Riley O'Sullivan and Sam Bennett helped fire Spalding United to a vital victory on Tuesday night.
O'Sullivan scored for the third successive game to put the Tulips ahead in their Northern Premier League Midlands Division contest against a battling Lye Town side.
Substitute Bennett then sealed the win late on as Spalding returned to second spot in the table after victory in a hard-fought contest.
They had created the better chances throughout the game with manager Elliot Sandy pleased that his side got their deserved rewards.
He said: "It was a great win.
"We know that Lye are a top side who are pushing for the play-offs. They are full of energy and work-rate and give it absolutely everything for their gaffer which they did again.
"It was a professional performance from us. They didn't really cause us too many problems from open play and we defended their great delivery for setpieces very well.
"I don't think we were at our best but we were efficient and did enough.
"It was a game in terms of chances where we could have scored four or five but I don't know if we had a bit of a hangover after Saturday's game.
"Sometimes it can be hard to pick yourselves up after a deflating result so I was really proud of the lads."
There were four changes to the Spalding starting line-up following Saturday's home draw with Harborough Town.
There was a debut for recent signing Kieron Dawes while Stacey Freeman, Kyle Barker and Tyler Winters also returned.
Both sides cancelled each other out in the opening exchanges before Spalding carved out a great chance in the 19th minute.
Winters and Barker linked well to send Sam Warburton clear but, with just the keeper to beat, he dragged his shot against the post.
Barker then played a crucial role at the other end with a vital goalline clearance to keep out a header following a Lye corner.
The visitors always looked a threat at setpieces and Spalding had to be on their guard after the Flyers forced a couple of corners as the half progressed.
O'Sullivan produced a neat turn in the Lye box but his shot was straight at visiting goalkeeper George Barrett while Lewis Hilliard fizzed a fierce strike just wide.
Winters then flashed a dangerous cross into the penalty area which just evaded the outstretched O'Sullivan who moments later showed his strength to shrug off a challenge and create a good opening only to fire his shot over the crossbar.
Home goalkeeper Tony Breeden then had to be alert to block a lively burst from Joe Palmer in first half injury time as the opening period finished goalless.
Lamine Sherif was introduced early in the second half following an injury to Joe Curtis and the first chance after the break fell to the substitute whose shot was safely held by Barrett.
Spalding then started to up the attacking ante with Winters twice going close before the breakthrough arrived in the 67th minute.
Substitute Jordan Graham broke the offside trap and rounded the goalkeeper before squaring for O'Sullivan to casually drive home the opening goal.
That gave Spalding an extra spring in their step with Warburton bringing a fine fingertip save out of Barrett after a rasping drive while Freeman fired another effort at the visiting custodian.
The visitors then had their best chance of the game when Paul Ibhadon blazed over with the goal at his mercy after Breeden had turned away a shot from Isaac Adegoke.
Spalding swiftly surged down the other end and an opening for Bennett saw the substitute rattle the post.
But he made no mistake with four minutes remaining as his close range header sealed an important win for the Tulips.
Spalding: Breeden, Dawes (Bennett), Warburton, Freeman, Stainfield, Cartwright, Hilliard, Barker, O'Sullivan, Winters (Graham), Curtis (Sherif). Subs not used: Draper, Snedden.
Lye: Barrett, Tye (Brookes), Lloyd, Ibhadon, Hall, Bridgewater, Funge (Mayemba), Burton, Palmer (Henry), Billingham, Adegoke. Subs not used: Ngbeken, Smith.
Attendance: 160.
