Spalding United are beaten by Bishop’s Stortford in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Spalding were hit by a series of sucker punches as they went down to a home defeat against Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.

The Blues landed three knock-out blows to send Spalding to a 3-1 home reversal in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.

Spalding conceded twice in the opening period despite a dominant start and then, after reducing the arrears in the second half, were hit by another breakaway goal.

The Tulips made just one change to their starting line-up following last week's win at Stratford Town with Kieron Freeman replacing Connor Brown at full-back.

Lamine Sherif also returned on the substitutes' bench following his recent two-match suspension as the Tulips hosted a Stortford side who started the day one place ahead of Spalding in the league table.

The Tulips started the brighter of the two teams and played some decent football in the opening period.

However, a combination of good defending and fine goalkeeping prevented Spalding from taking the lead before they were hit by two strikes late in the first half.

Bart Cybulski was the first to be denied by a fine block from Stortford goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi with centre-half Jake Thompson then reacting superbly to keep out Connor Tomlinson's follow-up.

Krasniqi made another good stop to keep out a cross-shot from Hilliard who was then denied again by the Blues' custodian with the pick of his first half saves to deny the Tulips play-maker at close range following a brilliant crossfield pass from Dion Sembie-Ferris.

The duel between the two continued with Krasniqi keeping out another effort from Hilliard before smothering a low drive from Tomlinson.

Tomlinson then delivered an inviting cross to the back post which somehow evaded the incoming Cybulski as the opening goal continued to evade the Tulips.

And, as so often happens, Stortford started to grow in confidence and it needed a crucial covering tackle from Freeman to deny a well-placed James Collins.

Roberts then served the home side warning of his threat when he unleashed a fierce strike that was deflected onto the underside of the crossbar.

However, from the resultant corner, the Stortford marksman found space at the back post to slide home the opening goal in the 37th minute.

Stortford then struck again in first half injury time to leave Spalding with an uphill task in the second period.

Roberts shrugged off the challenge of Nathan Fox before bursting forward and unleashing a sublime strike that flew into the top corner of the home net.

Stortford came close to adding a third goal shortly after the restart when Cole Dasilva's corner caused panic in the home rearguard and the ball was deflected just wide of the Spalding goal.

Liam Moore flashed a shot wide of the Stortford goal before the Blues spurned a big chance to put the game beyond Spalding's reach.

Rashawn Scott intercepted a wayward pass before releasing Collins but he was unable to beat Tony Breeden in a one-on-one as the home goalkeeper made a crucial save.

Sembie-Ferris saw a first-time shot from Tomlinson's low cross deflected wide as Spalding continued to look for a way back into the game.

A scramble in the visitors' box from a Hilliard free-kick saw Spalding unable to convert while Cybulski rose highest to meet a cross but headed over.

The deficit was then halved with 18 minutes remaining as a forceful run from Sembie-Ferris was rounded off by a clinical finish into the bottom corner of the visitors' net.

Sembie-Ferris was then inches away from connecting with a Fox cross moments later before Stortford struck their third goal with 13 minutes left.

Dan Lawlor was robbed of possession and the visitors burst forward to release Roberts who broke the offside trap and rounded Breeden to complete his hat-trick.

There was no way back for Spalding who remain closer to the relegation zone than they are to securing mid-table safety.

Spalding: Breeden, Freeman, Fox, Moore, Walker, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris, Hilliard, Cybulski, Leshabela, Tomlinson. Subs: Cartwright, Nyahwema, Ngandu, Chettle, Sherif.

Attendance: 486.

Spalding are holding a fans forum on Friday night at the clubhouse at the Sir Halley Stewart ground.

The event has been organised by the Tulips Supporters Club and gets underway at 7.30pm. Manager Jimmy Dean and other members of the club will be in attendance.