Spalding United host Carlton Town in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division

Brett Whaley has conceded the play-offs are a step too far for Spalding United this season.

The Tulips have won their last three matches in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division following Tuesday night's 2-0 derby victory over Wisbech Town.

But heading into Saturday's encounter against promotion-chasing Carlton Town at the Sir Halley Street ground (3pm), Whaley, whose side are 17 points off the play-off spots, revealed he is just building for next season.

"We've left it a little bit too late and we're too far out of it," he admitted.

"From our point of view it's about developing this group of players between now and the end of the season so the summer is a bit easier for us.

"The aim is to match the other play-off sides to give us some confidence and momentum and then it will be a lot easier to attract players here in the close season.

"If I can perhaps bring in one or two more before the end of the season and build something from there then we are not going to need to make wholesale changes in the summer."

The Tulips boss found himself without experienced duo Gregg Smith and Stefan Brockley due to a sickness bug for the visit of the Fenmen.

But he praised another two of Spalding's old heads in Michael Duggan and Nathan Stainfield for clinching the three points against his former club.

"Nathan won us the game with his goal. He blocked everything and won every header and at half-time he told the other players in the dressing room that we weren't good enough," said Whaley.

"And when they did get in behind us, Duggy made the saves when we needed him.

"Those two players won us the game tonight and that's what non-league experience gives you, it's invaluable.

"We've really struggled this year against sides in the bottom half of the table who are fighting and they caused us as many problems as we had on Saturday at Halesowen

"We went to Halesowen and got a brilliant result against a team who you can counter, but when we play against sides who put their bodies on the line we struggle.

"Losing Gregg and Stefan on the afternoon of the game was a big blow because Gregg is a focal point of our side.

"The key thing in games in games when you don't play well is to get a win and it was nice to get a result against Wisbech."