Cheshunt 2, King's Lynn 2

THE Linnets were looking to maintain their 100 per cent league record against Cheshunt as they made what was only their second ever visit to Theobald Lane.

Last season Lynn completed the double with a 1-0 away success thanks to a Danny Bloomfield goal and a brace from Matt Nolan for a 2-0 victory at The Walks.

With the Hertfordshire club struggling against relegation in what is only their second season in the Southern League, Lynn were hopeful of maintaining their promotion push.

Team news: With captain Mark Warren still sidelined with a calf injury, Grant Cooper with earlier in the week had turned down a seven day approach from Margate kept his place at the heart of the Linnets defence.

Sam McMahon as expected made a return to the squad. One absentee was Fraser Toms released by the club last weekend.

Trialist Steve Diggin was not included in the squad and has returned to Cogenhoe United.

Linnets starting line-up is the same as that which commenced against Bath at The Walks last week. Charlie Defty came into the squad as a replacement for Toms.

A long ball down the Chesthunt right almost let Darrell Cox had an early opportunity but the striker seemed surprised by the chance which came to nothing.

At the back for Lynn, Cooper and Crichton were not on the same wavelength when the centre half's intended back header went for a corner but the kick was negated by a foul on the goalkeeper.

Centre forward Gregoriou tried his luck from distance but Crichton was untroubled and saved easily.

Dewayne Clark made a good break for Cheshunt and his speedy run was only stopped by Crane at the expense of another corner from which Crichton punched clear.

Camm, Blois and Melton combined on the Lynn left but the move broke down in the Cheshunt box with a good tackle from Gyoury.

After half and hour's play neither side had imposed themselves on the game with play mainly confined to midfield with both sides finding difficult in controlling the ball on the bobbly surface.

Dewayne Clark for Cheshunt tried a speculative drive from distance but the ball was deflected for a fruitless corner.

On 37 minutes Lynn had their first serious goal attempt when Fisk supplied Nolan whose shot on the turn was drilled straight at goalkeeper Peat.

West brought down Cox for a free-kick to Cheshunt but Crane headed the swinging ball clear.

In the 41st minute Nolan lost the ball in midfield and the dangerous Dewayne Clark broke down the Cheshunt left only to be stopped by a fine tackle from West as he conceded the corner.

The kick which was taken by former Linnet Lee Allen caused Crichton to drop the ball and from the resulting goalline scramble COX was ruled to have forced the ball over the line by referee Barnes.

A minute later Gregoriou and Cox combined and Crichton did well to turn the Cheshunt leading scorers drive over the bar and then hold the header from the resultant corner by Gregoriou.

Right on the interval Critchon was troubled by a low shot from Gregoriou but the whistle sounded for half-time before the kick could be taken.

Little had been seen of the Lynn attack and manager Keith Webb would surely expect a better performance in the second half.

t Half-time Cheshunt 1, King's Lynn 0

Lynn made no changes at the interval but just three minutes into the second half they were level from a seemingly innocuous situation. Michael Frew laid the ball back to ANDREW FISK who scored with a fierce shot from the edge of the area to give Peat in the home goal no chance.

Lynn then brought on Jack Defty for Frew and the big man was soon into the action when he rose to meet Melton's cross to set up Nolan, who unselfishly elected to pass to O'Halloran who put the ball wide of an open goal.

A few minutes later Fisk had to leave the field to be replaced by McMahon. Jack Defty was making his presence felt winning several good headers.

Lynn had come out for the second half showing much more determination. On the hour Cheshunt were forced to make a double change due to injuries to go goalkeeper Peat and midfielder Barrett.

On the restart Melton powered the ball wide from a good position.

On 70 minutes Obeng was cautioned for a foul on Mark Camm.

From a long throw in by Blois, Jack Defty won yet another header but substitute keeper Kalli claimed the ball before any Lynn player could capitalise.

When in a rare Cheshunt attack the ball broke across the face of the Lynn goal - Clark's shot went hopelessly wide.

Lynn then made their third and final substitution with Notman replacing O'Halloran in the 75th minute.

Jack Defty forced Cheshunt's defence to concede a corner from which Notman's flag-kick the ball was half cleared to Camm, who played it back in for Defty to head across goal for MATT NOLAN to score from close range, with a spectacular overhead kick for Lynn to take on their second half display so far a deserved lead. However it was a lead that they only held for two minutes as DARRELL COX was allowed time and space to fire in a low shot drive from the edge of the box to level matters for the home side.

Lynn's last chance fell to Notman after he had been brought down - taking the free-kick himself he lifted his effort just over the crossbar.

This was a result which would please neither side as both needed full points in their efforts to attain either promotion or avoid relegation.

t Final score: Cheshunt 2, King's Lynn 2

t King's Lynn: Crichton, West, Blois, Cooper, Crane, Fisk, O'Halloran, Camm (capt), Nolan, Frew, Melton. Subs: J Defty, Notman, Cave-Brown, McMahon, C Defty.

t Cheshunt: Peat, Wattley, Parry, Gyoury, Fenton, Allen, Barratt, Obeng, Gregoriou, Cox, Clark, Peddie, Bernard, Forbes, Bashkal, Kalli.

t Referee: Mr Paul Barnes from Peterborough.