King's Lynn Town 3 South Shields 1 in National League North

King’s Lynn Town finally rewarded their home fans with their first win at The Walks this year.

Home form has been a worry for Adam Lakeland’s side, but two first-half goals by Jonny Margetts – both laid on a plate by Ben Stephens – put them in charge before a late insurance goal by Quevin Castro clinched the points.

They were the first goals scored at home since Boxing Day and, coupled with some favourable results elsewhere, left Lynn in their most comfortable position in the National League North for some time. Banbury and Rushall both lost to leave Lynn 18th in the table.

King's Lynn Town (Image: Newsquest library)

“All the players were outstanding today,” said Lakeland. ”Tactically, very organised, very disciplined, against a very good footballing side.

“We obviously forced an error for the first goal and Jonny’s second goal was something that we felt we could do within the game. His finish was instinctive, what a brilliant finish. And obviously then Castro coming off the bench and wrapping it up for us.

“Probably the only downside for me within the game was the goal we conceded because for as good a footballing side as they are - and it's a really cute finish by their lad - we shouldn't be getting done by one straight ball. That's me nitpicking.

“I felt that the organisation, the shape, the distances, the discipline, the commitment and everything that we needed today was there with those little moments of quality when our opportunities came, and to be fair, I felt we really restricted a good side to not too many clear openings.”

Lakeland made one change to the team which drew at Alfreton in midweek, Margetts in for injured defender Greg Taylor, Sam Walker dropping into the backline.

Stephens had the first sight of goal on 12 minutes with a curling  effort away that moved away from the top right corner.

Within seconds, the alert Stephens caught keeper Myles Boney dawdling on his line, dispossessed him and instead of trying his luck, slid the ball to Margetts who had a clearer sight of goal… and finished with ease.

Early goals are always good, but Lynn could so easily have quickly been behind – Paul Blackett was given far too much time to turn and shoot, but his effort came off Paul Jones’s left post. Moments later, a sliding Blackett was inches away from connecting to Courtney Clarke’s ball in from the left.

The visiting defence looked suspect at times, able to lose possession at will, but they were a different prospect in attack.

Goal number two came from Margetts again, this time volleying home a beauty from 12 yards after Stephens had teed him up with a pinpoint header.

The impressive Blackett almost pulled one back with a scissor-kick from eight yards, but two minutes after the restart he did find the back of the net and it was game on again.

Boney almost gifted Stephenson with a dreadful clearance which the Lynn striker rolled back, just past the post.

Lynn keeper Jones was at his best on 61 minutes when he stretched to his right to keep out Dillon Morse’s header from a corner.

Temperatures rose when referee Jonathan Maskrey appeared to lose his whistle and waved off numerous claims for free-kicks.

South Shields pressed for a leveller, but Lynn held firm and when Castro struck, teed up by Josh Coulson, the points were in the bag.

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Ronan, McFadden, Coulson, Crowe, Hargreaves, Morrison, Walker, Devonport (Hughes 86), Stephens (Cybulski 75) , Margetts (Castro 75). Subs not used: Dixon-Hodge, Rogers.

Goals: Margetts 13, 41, Castro 90

South Shields: Boney, Hunter, Morse, Broadbent (Sloan 46), Heaney, Clarke (Savage 70), Smith, Abbey, Woods, Blackett, Stephenson. Subs not used: Fletcher, Gomes, Seymour.

Goal: Blackett 47

Att: 834