Spalding United are held to an away draw by AFC Sudbury

A second successive goalless draw virtually scuppered Spalding United's play-off hopes on Saturday.

After last week's home stalemate with Alvechurch, the Tulips again drew a blank in front of goal at AFC Sudbury.

It leaves Jimmy Dean's side six points adrift of the top five with just two matches of the Southern League Premier Division Central campaign remaining.

They host fifth-placed Stamford on Easter Monday but, even if they defeated the Daniels, would need Stamford to lose their last game as well as Harborough and Stratford Town also slipping up.

The Tulips boss admitted his side had only got themselves to blame for their performances over the last two games.

He said: "We've got what we deserved from two tight games.

"If we had won both, it would have been in our own hands to make the play-offs but we haven't done enough or created enough chances.

"It wasn't for the want of trying because we did try really hard to break the deadlock in both games but it was a similar story on Saturday to last week where we were playing a side who needed points to survive.

"There probably wasn't enough urgency from us in the first half and then it became a little desperate but, this wasn't decided on the last two games, it was a season's work."

The Tulips had gone close to breaking the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes when Sam Cartwright had a header superbly cleared off the line by Ryan Henshaw.

Marcel Lewis went close with a free-kick for the hosts before Bart Cybulski had an effort smartly saved by Sudbury goalkeeper James Bradbrook as the opening half finished goalless.

Callum Page shot straight at Spalding goalkeeper Aaron Chapman when well placed after the break before Cybulski was again denied by a fine stop from Braybrook.

Chapman was called into action again to keep out a drive from Myles Cowling at his near post before Spalding were reduced to 10 men when Maniche Sani was red-carded for an apparent high challenge.

Cybulski headed another effort over with Sudbury substitute Liam Pearce doing likewise at the other end as the game as neither side were unable to find the vital breakthrough.

Spalding now complete their home campaign on Easter Monday when they welcome Stamford to the Sir Halley Stewart ground.

The Daniels need four points from their final two league games to confirm their place in the play-offs.

Boss Dean added: "We will be going out there and giving it everything to try and win the game.

"It's a massive game for the fans, the football club and the league against local rivals."

Spalding end their season next weekend with a trip to Barwell.