Jack Defty, yellow, in action against Newport Pagnell Town at The Walks last season shook off a dead leg to start for the Linnets today. Picture: Matthew Usher

Two goals in 120 second-half seconds secured a vital win for King’s Lynn Town on a day when title rivals Long Buckby suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Yaxley.

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A 50th-minute goal from winger Steve Spriggs, followed quickly by a bullet header from Stuart Wall, helped Gary Setchell’s side secure three huge points in the UCL title race.

But Lynn were made to work incredibly hard for the win by a tough and spirited Pagnell side who rattled Alex Street’s bar twice in an entertaining - and even - first period.

Linnets boss Setchell made two changes from the side that beat Thrapston Town 4-0 on Tuesday night.

Ryan Fryatt made way for Ashley Deeney, who slotted in at right back, allowing captain Ross Watson to return to the heart of Lynn’s defence alongside Wall.

Rob Hughes made way for Spriggs as Danny White returned to his normal central midfield role despite impressing out wide at Thrapston.

Striker Liam Harrold was told last night he wasn’t involved in Setchell’s squad but Dan Buhlemann was the other unlucky player to miss out as he failed to make the 16 for the second consecutive game.

The Swans looked keen to leave their mark on Lynn in the early stages with White and Jack Defty receiving hefty challenges – the latter appearing to be elbowed in the head much to the disgust of Setchell.

White almost replicated his superb 30-yard strike against Cogenhoe United a week ago when his long-range effort forced Josh McAdoo to make a fine finger-tip save in the fifth minute.

However, that chance aside, much of the opening exchanges were scrappy with the hosts keen to close the Linnets down at every opportunity.

Pagnell did create a half chance in the eighth minute when Dom Lawless’ trickery created an opening for his strike partner Daren Dykes. However, his effort, from the edge of the box, flew harmlessly wide.

Newport’s supremacy began to grow but Watson and Wall looked solid at the back despite the lively movement of Dykes.

Defty forced a fine save from McAdoo in the 14th minute as he burst into the box forcing the Swans’ keeper to parry his left-footed shot out for a corner.

Setchell’s title-chasing side knew they were in a battle as they fought to impose their football – which ripped Thrapston apart in midweek – on Darren Lynch’s charges.

And it was their best move of the half in the 20th minute which nearly saw Lynn take the lead. The Linnets switched the play from left to right with Spriggs bombing forward and delivering a fine centre.

Defty’s exquisite touch found new boy Jason Turner who looked set to open the scoring – but blazed his effort over on the stretch. Given his fine debut goal on Tuesday you would have expected him to have at least worked McAdoo.

Lawless went closer to scoring just before the half-hour mark when he latched onto Richard Armstrong’s terrific lofted through ball. But after finding himself free in the Lynn box, Newport’s number 10 crashed a thunderous half volley against Alex Street’s crossbar.

Newport matched their title-chasing counterparts all the way in a half full of endeavour and flashes of excellent football from both sides.

Jamie Thurlbourne’s free kick and a Defty header drew comfortable saves from McAdoo before Lynn’s bar was rattled for a second time when Dykes’ deflected effort struck Street’s woodwork.

Setchell said it would be a battle and it was – with both sides leaving no stone unturned in their desire to take the lead. The tigerish, but tiny pair of Luke Thurlbourne and White ensured the Linnets didn’t get overpowered in the middle of park in what was an even encounter.

A fired-up Setchell urged his team to squeeze up at the start of the second half as he grew more animated on the sidelines.

But he was soon jumping for joy when Lynn scored two goals in as many minutes.

Wideman Spriggs slotted home from close range after latching onto Defty’s flick on – just 120 seconds before centre-back Wall powered home a header from a corner.

The celebrations from the Lynn dugout proved how vital the two goals were and the confidence quickly drained out of Pagnell’s play.

Wideman Jamie Thurlbourne forced a fine save from McAdoo and Spriggs pulled a left-footed effort wide as Setchell’s side went in search of a third to wrap up three huge points.

Dykes handed Lynn a timely reminder that the home side were still in the game when his effort forced Street into a sprawling save.

Turner nearly bagged his second Lynn goal in as many games when he showed great skill to force his way into the Pagnell box but McAdoo made a fine save with his legs as he raced off the line to narrow the angle.

Jamie Thurlbourne had two good efforts while at the opposite end the skilful Lawless forced Street into a smart sprawling stop.

Watson somehow managed to head over from almost under the bar when presented with a chance to wrap up the win with about 15 minutes left and he must of breathed a sigh when Lawless spooned a huge chance over for Pagnell.

However, Lynn snuffed out any further danger as the impressive Street and equally rock-solid defensive quartet of Deeney, Watson, Wall and Jordan Yong helped Setchell’s outfit pick up another clean sheet - and more importantly three points.

King’s Lynn: Street, Deeney, Watson, Wall, Yong, Spriggs (Hughes 75), White, L.Thurlbourne, J.Thurlbourne (Beaumont 85), Defty and Turner (Harris 87)

Subs not used: Fryatt and Owen

Bookings: J.Thurlbourne

Newport Pagnell: McAdoo, Lagioia (Mulkern 88), Thorpe, Baiter, Smyth, McBride, Armstrong, Dykes, Lawless, Masala (Broomes 71)

Subs not used: Welch, Smail, Broomes

Bookings: Armstrong and Smyth

Goals: Spriggs (50) and Wall (52)

Referee: S. Barry

Attendance: 260