Tiverton Town 1, King’s Lynn 0

King's Lynn's bid to reach the Southern League Premier Division play-offs took another knock in a bad-tempered encounter against Tiverton Town.

The Linnets had two players sent off as they went down 1-0 and have now lost three of their last four away games, at the same time failing to find the back of the net.

For their longest away league trip of the season, to the well-appointed Lady's Mead ground of Tiverton Town on the south coast, the Linnets were looking to continue their run of successes on the Devon turf and to make it double figures without a win for the home club.

Wednesday's new signing from Bedford Town, Jamie Gould, an experienced Conference midfielder, was given the number 11 shirt in a much- changed starting line-up to the side defeated at Yate in midweek.

Shaun Marshall kept his place in goal, regular defensive pairing Mark Warren and Greg Crane returned instead of Sam Gaughran and Danny Hammond had a place on the bench. Michael Frew, Danny Bloomfield and Matt Nolan made up the Linnets attacking trio. Mark Heath-Preston, fresh from his hat-trick for the reserves against Histon in midweek, was rewarded with a place on the bench along with the now recovered from injury, Charlie Defty and Matt O'Halloran.

Steve Melton, Jack Defty and Sam McMahon were still ruled out by ijnury while Lynn were also without the now departed Alex Notman.

Lynn lost the toss and were set to face a stiff breeze. An early scare from a Dean Stamp cross saw Crane having to kick away from the line. When Warren fouled Mudge it was Scott Laird who was only inches wide with a fierce free-kick.

Lynn hand a chance when a ball played in from the right wing gave Nolan a shooting opportunity but he scuffed his shot wide. For the Linnets, skipper Mark Warren was prominent with several powerful clearing headers.

Early play was mainly confined to midfield with defences on top. For Tiverton, Dale made a break down the right but Marshall confidently held the cross. Newcomer Gould took a free kick wide on the right to find Warren at the back post but the Lynn centre half glanced his header just wide. Nathan Rudge, the Tiverton skipper, was then cautioned for handball from a free-kick taken by Gould.

Bloomfield prouduce a goalbound effort, moments later, which unfortunately struck Greg Crane and was cleared.

Tivvy's Dean Stamp quickly followed his capatain into referee Newell's notebook for a foul on Crane. Gould again took the kick which was cleared out to West who played the ball in for Nolan who caused home goalkeeper Barker difficulties with a wickedly bouncing shot. Tivvy's first corner came after 35 minutes and was eagerly cleared. Lynn had a corner of their own taken by Gould who was taking all the Linnets' dead ball kicks but again the kick was easily dealt with. For Tiverton right back Allcock broke down the right and hit a fierce cross with Laird only inches away from converting. From a free-kick taken by Booth Lynn keeper Marshall made a weak punch which was lobbed back towards goal by Stamp but Blois cleared off the line.

Lynn's Dean West was cautioned for a foul. Bale pulled the kick back for Thomas to fire in a pile-driver which brought a fine save from Marshall. As the interval approached the home side began to apply pressure.

A shot from Allcock was well dealt with again by the Lynn keeper as the home side had strenuous appeals for a penalty against Warren for holding turned down by referee Newell. Right on the whistle Rudge missed a clear heading chance from a cross by Vinnicombe.

Fisk was cautioned as the second half began for a foul on Chris Bale, which was almost immediately followed by the substitution of Danny Bloomfield by Matt O'Halloran.

Tiverton wasted a good opportunity when a bad bounce deceived Warren only for Mudge to needlessly run offside. For the home side a fast right wing break saw Mudge fire a low cross across goal from which Marshall dived to make a good stop.

Lynn's Frew was brought down and from the free-kick Warren was ruled offside as he attacked the cross. Tiverton came close to the opening goal when Laird went close from a low cross despite heavy pressure from Warren.

Then Lynn missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Frew, played in by Gould, robbed Vinnicombe the Tiverton left back. The Lynn player broke clear to hit the bar with Barker well beaten. Gould and Camm played a neat one-two with the Lynn newcomer's shot taking a deflection and looping over the crossbar.

Lynn made a second substitution with Mark Heath-Preston coming on for his first start of the season to replace Gould.

Lynn substitute O'Halloran brought down Tiverton's Stamp on the edge of the area and was shown a straight red card by the referee.

Moments later, mid way through the second-half, the Lynn defence conceded a penalty which was cooly slotted home by Tiverton's Jamie Mudge.

Lynn forced a corner in a desperate effort to equalise, Nolan taking the kick but Frew was penalised for a foul. The home side's Stamp made a quick break and tried a shot which Marshall did well to turn round the post for a corner. Bedlam broke out in the Lynn goalmouth following the corner kick leading to the sending off of both captains, Mark Warren for Lynn and Nathan Rudge for the home side. Lynn finished in disarray with nine men. This defeat was a serious blow to their promotion hopes, having now lost four away games on the trot without finding the net.

t King's Lynn: Marshall, West, Blois, Warren, Crane, Fisk, Frew, Camm, Nolan, Bloomfield, Gould. Subs: O'Halloran, Heath-Preston, C Defty, Hammond.

t Tiveton: Barker, Alcock, Vinnicombe, Gardner, Rudge, Thomas, Booth, Bale, Stamp, Laird, Mudge. Subs: Harris, Skinner, Lammacraft.

t Referee: A Newell (Bristol)

t Attendance: 450