Spalding United draw with Alvechurch in the Southern League Premier Division Central
Spalding's play-off push was stifled by visiting Alvechurch after a frustrating goalless draw for the Tulips on Saturday.
The Worcestershire side came to play for a point at the Sir Halley Stewart ground and Spalding were unable to convert their chances on a frustrating afternoon for Jimmy Dean's side.
The draw means the Tulips remain four points adrift of the play-off spots with just three matches of the Southern League Premier Division Central campaign remaining.
The Spalding boss said: "It was a difficult afternoon.
"Our opponents came here and set up to try and stop us from creating chances and scoring goals which was their prerogative but it made it very difficult to break them down.
"We got behind them three or four times in the first half but never really had the end product.
"It was more of the same in the second half and we tried to smash it quicker and play in the spaces which was a lot more effective for us.
"We had three or four excellent chances and, although it was a horrible game against a team playing an ugly way, we should have scored and we should have won.
The Tulips brought Bart Cybulski and Maniche Sani back into their starting line-up following the 1-1 away draw at AFC Telford last weekend.
The visitors created the first opening as Spalding full-back Connor Brown was forced to clear a dangerous back post cross from Callum Sullivan.
Jack Roberts shot over at the other end after a strong burst and cross from Dion Sembie-Ferris who then had to be replaced late in the first half due to injury.
Sullivan saw a well-struck free-kick deflected wide after the break before Spalding went close when Sam Cartwright saw a header cleared off the line.
Joe Nyahwema then had an effort blocked at close range with Jason Law having another shot repelled after Roberts' cross had been turned into his path.
The final chance of the game fell to Law after Cartwright had launched a ball into the penalty area but again a sea of bodies kept Spalding at bay.
Dean added: "We tried our best but it's a really difficult surface to play on.
"When you're up against a team playing a low block, you need to be able to play one and two-touch and it is difficult on here.
"It's nothing against the lads who look after the pitch because they're down here all week giving their all but it is factoring having two sides playing on it which isn't the clubs fault but it's how it's been.
"It became really difficult to do what we're good at by playing in the wide areas, with one and two-touch to get crosses into the box.
"Everything needed an extra touch or an extra moment or thought. It killed us in those attacking moments."
Spalding travel to AFC Sudbury on Saturday before a derby at home to Stamford on Easter Monday.
