Spalding United lose to Leiston in the Southern League Premier Division Central

A second defeat in three games has hit Spalding United's hopes of reaching the Southern League Premier Division Central play-offs.

The Tulips went down to a 2-1 away reversal at Leiston on Saturday as their Suffolk hosts moved into the top five after victory over Jimmy Dean's side.

First half goals from Jamar Loza and George Quantrell gave Leiston the initiative before Spalding halved the deficit after the break through Sam Cartwright.

But it wasn't enough to prevent an eighth away league loss of the season for the Tulips who are now seven points adrift of the play-off spots in 11th place after a display that disappointed boss Dean.

He said: "We were second best and got beat by a better side.

"They beat us up in the first half because we were off them. They looked like they had more energy than us and were better than us.

"They wanted it more than us and that's the first time since I've had this side together that I've said that.

"Even when we've lost games, I've still felt that we were the better side but Leiston were far superior to us.

"We huffed and puffed in the second half but there was no quality and I wasn't happy at all because we were miles away from where we needed to be."

The Tulips were without Joe Nyahwema for the trip to in-form Leiston which saw Scunthorpe United loanee Jason Law handed his first start with defender Darnell Johnson returning on the substitutes' bench.

Spalding fell behind in the 18th minute when Quantrell found Loza who fired home a fine finish past visiting goalkeeper Aaron Chapman.

Loza was then denied by an excellent block from Liam Moore before Law shot over after a promising Spalding move.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 36th minute as Loza rattled the post with a shot from the edge of the area and Quantrell reacted first to smash home the rebound.

Leiston continued to look to add to their tally before the break with Chapman saving Fraser Alexander's effort from distance.

Spalding started the second half strongly and home defenders Eddie Jackson and Seb Dunbar were both forced into vital clearances.

The Tulips then got a goal back in the 57th minute as Cartwright scored from close range following a Kieron Freeman corner.

The visitors now looked for a leveller and Dion Sembie-Ferris saw a cross-shot land on the roof of the home net while substitute James Clifton fired an effort over.

Chapman kept out an effort from Loza before Spalding were forced to go for broke in search of an equaliser in the latter stages.

It left them open to the counter attack which Leiston looked to exploit as Adam Mills rattled the crossbar with a shot while Ismael Fatadjo saw an injury-time effort hit the post as the hosts took the points.

Spalding are back in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Bishop's Stortford.