Spalding United draw with Sutton Coldfield Town

Spalding squandered a two-goal lead after conceding an injury-time equaliser in Saturday's Northern Premier League clash at Sutton Coldfield.

The Tulips had looked on course to end their indifferent run of away form when an own goal from Taylor Carter-Byrne and Sam Cartwright's effort either side of half-time put them in control of the contest.

However, Fraser Doyle cut the deficit with 14 minutes remaining before James Tague levelled the Midlands Division match in stoppage time.

With league leaders Loughborough Dynamo being held to a home goalless draw by Lye Town, the Tulips remain in second spot, three points behind the pacesetters.

Manager Elliot Sandy said: "It's never nice conceding in the last minute because, for 80 minutes, it had been the perfect away performance.

"We defended really well and took our chances to go 2-0 up. We looked comfortable against a side with some dangerous players who play good football.

"They never really looked like hurting us and then two balls into our box saw their lad have a free header for 2-1.

"You are always going to be up against it after that and we had chances to make it three and four which we didn't take.

"We then didn't deal with another long ball into the box and they squirmed one into the bottom corner.

"It seems to be happening to us a lot at the moment and we're not getting the rub of the green as such and things are going against us.

"My concern is that we defend alright and then we get a ball into the box which we're not ruthless enough with.

"It was really disappointing to end up with a draw after a game which I felt we should have won."

Spalding had started brightly with James Clifton volleying wide early on while Riley O'Sullivan had a shot saved after creating space.

The visitors then had a let off when Rhys Hilton raced onto a slip at the back but his shot was saved by Spalding goalkeeper Ben Heath.

Alex McSkeane then fired narrowly wide from distance after being the offside trap before Pedro Lima saw a header cleared off the line.

As the first half moved into stoppage time, O'Sullivan held off a defender before drilling in a cross which was diverted home by Carter-Byrne for an own goal.

Spalding then doubled their advantage three minutes into the second period as Cartwright converted from a Clifton free-kick.

It looked to have given Spalding the cushion which they required as both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances as the heavens opened.

However, in the 76th minute, goalkeeper Heath was beaten to a cross by Doyle who headed home to give the Royals a lifeline.

Tague came close to equalising as he fired a shot into the side-netting before the Sutton substitute struck the late leveller with a scrambled shot as Spalding failed to clear a long throw into their area.

The Tulips return to the Sir Halley Stewart on Tuesday night with a home clash against Corby Town.