Despite having plenty of possession King's Lynn Town slipped to defeat after failing to mount a serious challenge on the Frome goal.

After going behind in the 56th minute, the Linnets always looked likely to concede a second to the home side who were looking for their fifth successive victory as they continue to try and pull clear of the Southern League Premier Division relegation zone.

Frome's triumph means they now have nine points' worth of daylight above the bottom four while Lynn's second defeat in a row leaves them 11 points outside of the play-offs and presumably out of the hunt for a top-five finish.

On a day with a cold, stiff wind both teams struggled to come to terms with getting the ball under control effectively. After Frome's Darren Jefferies had volleyed over in the opening seconds, Lynn showed with a couple of pacy attacks, but Kris Miller proved too fast for visiting new-boy John Sands, making his loan debut, as he attempted to break through.

The hosts had a big chance in the 11th minute as Mitchell Page and Jon Davies combined well on the right, allowing the latter to turn in the box but his left-foot shot towards the top far corner failed to curl in enough.

Lynn had their moments but finding a quality finish was proving difficult with David Bridges completely missing his attempt at a shot and defender Steve Hulbert getting in the way of a fierce snap shot from Sands.

Alex Street's save from Jefferies was the first real moment of note just before the half-hour and chances remained few and far between.

The same player brought a good low save from the visiting keeper after the restart and it wasn't long before Frome took the lead. Rob Hobbs' quick throw-in found Jon Davies in space in the penalty area but the ball bobbled and he was dispossessed by Kern Miller. In turn he then lost control and Jefferies pounced to hammer a low shot into the net from 12 yards.

Davies worked Street twice, Jefferies went close, and Jake Jackson was denied as the hosts pushed for a second. But they didn't need it as they dealt with everything that was then thrown at them to leave Lynn's play-off hopes disappearing over the horizon.

Frome: Chitty, K Miller, Teale, Hobbs, Hulbert, Mapstone, J Davies (Jackson, 74), Bryant, Page, Cleverley (G Miller, 38), Jefferies (B Davies, 82). Unused subs: McPhee, Roberts. Goal: Jefferies (56)

Lynn: Street, R Fryatt, Yong, Miller, Gaughran, Smith, Clunan, Hurst (Hilliard, 70), Stevenson, Sands (Zielonka, 80), Bridges (Mulready, 66). Unusued subs: Castellan, Friend

Referee: M Whalley

Attendance: 145