Match report: Spalding United 0 Harborough Town 2 in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Spalding United's play-off hopes suffered a huge setback after defeat against promotion rivals Harborough Town on Saturday.

Two second half goals from Ben Stephens and Ben Starkie sentenced Spalding to a 2-0 home defeat in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.

The defeat leaves the Tulips seven points adrift of a coveted top five place with just eight matches of the campaign remaining.

The two sides went into the contest locked on the same amount of points with Harborough just one place above Spalding on goal difference.

Manager Jimmy Dean made just one change to the starting line-up following last weekend's win at Stourbridge with Joe Nyahwema coming in for Jason Law.

Ex-Tulips Riley O'Sullivan and Starkie were both in the Harborough team as the Bees looked to end Spalding's impressive home record.

The Tulips were unbeaten in their previous nine games at home with their last loss at home to Bishop's Stortford in mid-November.

They had conceded just six goals at home in that run and chances were in short supply for both sides in the opening half of Saturday's clash.

The visitors had an early appeal for a penalty turned down when Dan Cooper went down in the box under a challenge from Nyahwema.

Bees goalkeeper Elliott Taylor was then off his line smartly to smother at the feet of Maniche Sani as he looked to latch onto Kieron Freeman's through ball.

A Harborough long throw landed invitingly at the feet of Alex Morris but he could only prod his shot straight at Aaron Chapman in the home goal.

Nyahwema and James Clifton both saw decent shots blocked by the Bees who had the best chance of the half when Ben Stephens latched onto Cooper's through ball but he was denied by a superb save from the outstretched foot of Chapman to ensure the first half finished goalless.

Spalding went close early in the second half when Taylor saved well after a smart turn and shot from Bart Cybulski before they fell behind in the 56th minute.

Starkie burst down the right-hand side and the Spalding defence missed two chances to clear his cross and Stephens swept home the opening goal.

Spalding looked for an instant response and Freeman whipped in a dangerous corner which was crucially headed clear by Rob Morgan with the Tulips waiting to pounce.

Harborough came close to doubling their lead five minutes after hitting the front when Starkie again found Stephens with a cross but Chapman somehow turned his effort over the bar from point blank range.

The Bees kept up the pressure and Morgan rattled the home crossbar with Liam Moore getting in a vital block to keep out the follow-up.

Chapman then came to Spalding's rescue again with a flying save to turn away a shot from O'Sullivan before substitute Jack Roberts delivered a superb cross at the other end which Sam Cartwright was inches away from converting.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and it went Harborough's way in the 75th minute as Starkie latched onto a long ball before rounding Chapman to slot home.

Spalding could have halved deficit straight away as Roberts sent over another dangerous delivery but Sani was unable to convert at the back post and the Tulips tumbled to defeat

Tulips: Chapman, Clifton, Fox (Walker), Moore, Cartwright, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris (Law), Freeman (Chettle), Cybulski, Sani, Nyahwema (Roberts). Sub not used: Sherif.

Attendance: 553.