the conditions, particularly in the first half.

Early exchanges were mainly in mid pitch and long range efforts with the Tulips' Dan Cotton just off target with a free kick.

Rangers responded and good play involving Matt Heron, Alex Beck and Mitch Griffiths saw Griffiths' cross hit the advancing Beck and miss the target.

Cotton showed his trickery down the right and sent in a teasing cross that Spencer Tinkler defended well and at the other end Stacey Cartwright's curling free kick was just over the bar.

Deeping's Lewis Stone played a ball to the edge of the box to set up a drive from Joe Braithwaite that again was just over, Heron released Griffiths down the right who pulled back to Beck who saw his shot blocked out to Griffiths who then found Scott Ginty but his shot was high.

Spalding hotshot Andy Tidswell missed a good chance for the home side and as half time approached he was thwarted by a good save by Deeping keeper James Doughty after he had been played in behind the Rangers defense by Sam Mullarkey.

Half Time - Spalding United 0 Deeping Rangers 0

Spalding replaced Sam Mullarkey with ex Ranger Mark Jones at half time and he was quickly to punish his old team.

Deeping started the half brightly but fell behind on 49 minutes - Doughty came for Cotton's corner but did not make it and Jones rifled his header home from close range.

Rangers troubles increased in a 5 minute spell.

Cartwright appeared to pull a hamstring and was replaced by the returning (from injury) Simon Ashton, and has they settled into the new formation they were punished further - Jones won the ball out wide and progressed into the box shooting home past the advancing Doughty on 54 minutes.

Griffiths was then dismissed for two bookings within the space of two minutes for tackles on Adam Jackson, who certainly made the most of the opportunities to influence the referee.

Spalding were now dominant and top scorer Tidswell slid home a Cotton cross after 69 minutes to seal the result for the league leaders.

Deeping's 10 men battled hard to keep the Tulips at bay as the home sides possession threatened to add further goals and Jones was close to adding to the tally but his header was wide from a Jamie Thurlbourne corner.

Full Time - Spalding United 3 Deeping Rangers 0

Spalding United:
1. Michael Duggan, 2. Peter Bore, 3. Adam Jackson, 4. Jamie Stevens (Capt.), 5. Nathan Stainfield (12. Jon Fairweather - 72 mins), 6. Lewis Webb, 7. Dan Cotton (15. Lee Beeson - 70 mins), 8. Chris Hall, 9. Sam Mullarkey (14. Mark Jones - 46 mins), 10. Andy Tidswell, 11. Jamie Thurlbourne.
subs (not used): 16. Danny Hussey, 17. Tom Roberts

Deeping Rangers:
1. James Doughty, 2. Dan Flack, 3. Lewis Stone, 4. Spencer Tinkler (Capt.), 5. Stacey Cartwright (14. Simon Ashton - 53 mins), 6. Joe Braithwaite, 7. Mitch Griffiths, 8. Scott Ginty (15. Ben Lewis - 72 mins), 9. Alex Beck (16. Casey Lewis - 80 mins), 10. Matt Heron, 11. Craig Parker
subs (not used): 12. Ryan Oliver, 17. Matt Simpson