Wisbech Town head to Skegness with 10 huge games to play in the United Counties League Premier Division North after home draw against Newark

Wisbech Town manager Luke Hipwell has called on his players to prepare for battle in ten "cup finals" heading into Wednesday's league encounter at Skegness.

Hipwell is determined that the Fenmen retain their United Counties League Premier Division North status after seeing them fight back from 2-0 down with just 15 minutes remaining to draw 2-2 at Fountain Fresh Park on Saturday.

Wisbech head into their midweek encounter six points clear of the drop zone with ten games to play, although Deeping Rangers, who occupy the last relegation spot, have two games in hand.

Hipwell said: "It was a big point. Kimberley (Miners Welfare) won again today so they are on a bit of a roll. We've now got ten cup finals left to play really, that's how the lads have got to see it.

"I don't know how many points it's going to take to make sure we are safe but it's going to be quite a few I suspect as all of the teams seem to be picking up.

"It might be a case of because of the heavy pitch today we might have to shuffle the pack but we'll see how we go."

Newark had beaten Wisbech 5-2 back in September and looked to be on the way to a UCL double when they scored twice in the opening five minutes of the second half through Louis Czerwak and Ryan Smith to lead 2-0.

Things got worse for The Fenmen when Oli Williams was dismissed after a second yellow card in the 73rd minute, but four minutes later Sam Bennett scored only his third goal since returning to the club to make it 2-1.

However, a second yellow for Kyle Barker on 90 minutes left Wisbech with just nine men.

But three minutes into added-on time substitute, former Heacham midfielder Paulius Falcao, scored his first goal in Wisbech red to rescue an unlikely point for Hipwell’s men.

"A week is a long time in football and I didn't see that coming after 55 or 60 minutes," said Hipwell.

"There was a mad five-minute spell in the second half where we just switched off. I might just not say anything at half-time because we always start poorly when I do!

"The players held a meeting last week and there was a meeting between management.

“We spoke about things collectively and had two hard training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

"I asked a lot of questions of them from Saturday and in the week and anyone who was here today could see the players fighting for their shirts with the endeavour and heart they showed.

"I made some tough calls, some big calls, and as you can see from the team sheet I made some tough calls and I was looking for a response.

"I will still be looking for the same response on Wednesday but in terms of how we played, we started on the front foot and created a lot more chances.

"They also caused us problems and it was a little bit chicken-and-egg whose system was going to pay off, especially in terms of how we were both attacking.

"Both teams had chances in the first half but neither took them. Kicking off the second half, I'm not going to blame not having the lights on as it was the same for both sides.

"It seemed rather bizarre to start and then delay the game after a few minutes, and then we were 2-0 down.

"We kept going, made certain changes and the impact of our subs was really good and I was pleased for Paulius to get the equaliser.

"I give him a very hard time sometimes but that's only because I feel he's a player with very good potential."

The Fenmen are without a league fixture on Saturday.

Wisbech Town: Bucher, Braham, Williams, Nicholson (Falcao 62), Mattless (Ward 71), Freeman, Harris (Acheampong 87), Barker, Conyard (Lennon 71), Bennett, Challinor. Sub (not used): Langford.

Star man: Sam Bennett

Attendance: 171.