Banbury 0 King's Lynn 2: King's Lynn moved up to second in the Southern League table after a fine win at Banbury. Goals either side of half-time from Jack Defty and Joe Francis ensured Keith Webb's side stay firmly in the hunt for promotion.

Banbury 0 King's Lynn 2

King's Lynn moved up to second in the Southern League table after a fine win at Banbury.

Goals either side of half-time from Jack Defty and Joe Francis ensured Keith Webb's side stay firmly in the hunt for promotion.

Indeed the Linnets could even have claimed the league's top spot, but Chippenham scored twice in the last minute of their game against Yate to keep Lynn off the summit.

It was a quiet opening to the match with play mainly confined to midfield. But Lynn took the lead on 22 minutes when Joe Francis, picking up a loose ball, crossed from the left to find Jack Defty who powered in a header from 10 yards.

As Banbury attempted to reply Mark Warren had to make a good tackle to stop Gordon as he tried to worm his way through.

A free kick from Banbury's Fuller played into the box caused problems for the Lynn defenders but the ball was eventually scrambled clear. For Lynn, Danny Bloomfield picked up the ball from a throw and dribbled through the Puritans defence only for goalkeeper Wheeler to fall on the ball and save at the forward's feet.

The final effort in the half saw Michael Frew win a corner which was taken by Francis and Frew's header was well saved by Wheeler, the half ending with Lynn well in control and deserving of their goal lead.

In the second half, the Linnets maintained control of the game.

Lynn made their first substitution on 62 minutes when Turner replaced Bloomfield. Francis caused fullback Travers to mis-kick for a corner which again brought no reward.

On 76 minutes Turner won a good ball in the air to find Daniel Buhlemann, on for Frew who in turn passed to Defty who netted but the effort was ruled out for offside.

On 79 minutes for the Puritans Gooderick lifted a teasing ball into the box almost putting Bryan in but Howie made a brave save at the striker's feet. A minute later Jack Defty won a good header to find Andrew Fisk who in turn passed to Turner who made ground and his shot on the turn was well saved by Wheeler. A short corner routine between Francis and West almost brought a reward when Jack Defty's header at the back post was only inches away from Buhlemann as he sought to apply the final touch.

From a long free kick by goalkeeper Howie Turner's header went to Defty who went down but Lynn's penalty appeals were waved away.

On 87 minutes the Linnets scored their second goal when a cross deep from the Lynn right found Joe Francis unmarked in acres of space and his cross-shot easily beat Wheeler.

A minute from the end Daniel Buhlemann was unlucky not to score his first, first team goal when his fierce cross-shot from 25 yards struck the angle of post and bar.

t King's Lynn: Howie, West, Lake, Warren, Crane, Camm, Frew, Fisk, J Defty, Bloomfield, Francis.

Subs: Turner, Nolan, Buhlemann, Glover, Murray.

t Banbury United: Wheeler, Travers, Kinch, Essex, Baird, Fuller, Feely, Blossom, Murphy, Gordan, Stanbridge.

Subs: Gooderick, Bryan, Nicholls, Bridges, Milner.

t Ref: Mr A Field, Chesham.