Spalding United lose to Alvechurch in the FA Trophy

Spalding fell at the first hurdle in this season's FA Trophy after seeing an injury-time penalty saved in their defeat to 10-man Alvechurch on Saturday.

The visitors ran out 2-1 winners at the Sir Halley Stewart ground with Bart Cybulski seeing his stoppage time spot kick kept out after ex-Tulips frontman Dan Sweeney had been sent off in the second half of the tie.

All of the goals came in a lively second half with Callum Sullivan putting the visitors ahead before Joe Nyahwema equalised.

David Solademi then scored what proved to be the winning goal for the visitors before Cybulski's late spot kick was saved.

James Clifton had returned to the Spalding line-up after a spell out injured while former Peterborough Sports striker Maniche Sani - who netted twice under dual registration for Bourne Town in midweek - was on the substitutes' bench.

Alvechurch included former Spalding striker Dan Sweeney in their team with ex-Peterborough United frontman Tyrone Barnett on the bench.

The third qualifying round clash pitted two Southern League Premier Division Central rivals against each other and there was little to choose between the teams in the first half.

Spalding had the best chance of the first 45 minutes inside the opening exchanges of the Trophy tie.

Glenn Walker's cross picked out Connor Tomlinson but he steered his header wide of the mark when well placed.

Clifton then shot over after Bart Cybulski won possession to find Jordan Nicholson whose cross had been laid into the midfielder's path by Tomlinson.

Omari Sterling-James tried his luck from range with a free-kick that was safely gathered by home goalkeeper Tony Breeden.

Sweeney curled an effort past the far post for the visitors while Sam Perry's long range effort was again safely gathered by Breeden as the opening half finished goalless.

It took the visitors just five minutes of the second half though to break the deadlock as poor defensive clearance was punished.

Sweeney made a strong run down the right and Sam Cartwright could only turn his cross into the path of Sullivan who swept home the opening goal.

However, that was to be Sweeney's last impact on the game as he was sent off shortly after Alvechurch had taken the lead.

The striker had been booked for dissent and then collected a second caution following a late barge on Nathan Stainfield.

Spalding made an attacking change by bringing on Nyahwema for Cartwright and his first major impact created a chance for Tomlinson whose low effort was easily gathered by Ronnie Hollingshead in the Alvechurch goal.

The visiting custodian was then fortunate to pounce on a low cross with Tomlinson waiting to convert before Spalding had appeals for a penalty turned down after Cybulski went down following a Sam Warburton cross.

The equaliser then arrived with 15 minutes remaining as Nyahwema's high near post cross got the better of Hollingshead to bring Spalding level.

The impetus looked to be with the Tulips but they were rocked by a second goal Alvechurch goal with just five minutes remaining.

Warburton was unable to clear his lines following a corner and Solademi's effort flew into the bottom corner of the home net.

Spalding mounted a late push for a second equaliser with Lewis Hilliard shooting over before Cybulski was brought down to give the Tulips an injury-time lifeline.

However, the recent recruit saw his penalty saved by Hollingshead to book Alvechurch's place in the next round.

Spalding: Breeden, Brown, Warburton (Dawes), Cartwright (Nyahwema), Stainfield, Walker, Clifton, Hilliard, Cybulski, Nicholson (Sani), Tomlinson (Bennett). Sub not used: Winters.