King's Lynn 3, Chippenham 0

Keith Webb made two changes to his starting line up as the Linnets embarked upon the most critical weekend of the season to date with Chippenham in town on Saturday and Tiverton at The Walks 24 hours later.

Charlie Defty made a start and also brother Jack came into the equation following Monday's single goal defeat at Rugby. The Linnets had to make do without the suspended Mark Warren and Matt O'Halloran both of whom were beginning three match suspensions. Youngster Sam Gaughran also made a return to the squad after missing out for the previous few weeks.

THIS match began in bizarre circumstances with the visiting Bluebirds having two goals disallowed inside the opening six minutes. Firstly, Gilroy had the ball in the net from close range only to see the referee's assistant raising his flag for an offside decision. Moments later Metitiri thought he had given his side the lead, however, referee Ross had seen an obstruction elsewhere in the box and again the effort was ruled out. On 10 minutes with their first attacking chance of the afternoon the Linnets took the lead. Nolan collected the ball on the halfway line and in turn fed JACK DEFTY who took the ball on and lobbed advancing keeper Snoddy. The ball seemed to take an age as it struck the post and then bounced just over the line and then out again with Chippenham appealing for the goal to be disallowed. The goal, however, was given with assistant Mr Robinson indicating that the ball had crossed the line.

Chippenham then went on the attack again with full back Adams blazing wildly over after Allison had knocked the ball down to him. On 23 minutes Nolan attempted to copy Defty's earlier goal as he lobbed Snoddy from 20 yards following Adams' mistake. However, this time the ball bounced wide of an unguarded goal. With tempers becoming frayed in the warm afternoon sunshine Bluebirds' full backs Adams and Halliday both found themselves in referee Ross' notebook following fouls.

On 30 minutes Herring had a first-time shot from distance at the Lynn goal which was well wide of its target and shortly before the break Holly's free kick went straight to a grateful Howie as Chippenham continued the search for the equalising goal.

t Half-time: King's Lynn 1, Chippenham 0

The first action of the second half saw the visiting number six Herring booked for a foul on Gould. On the hour mark the hardworking Jack Defty was replaced by Frew who was immediately in the action with a run and shot which was stopped by Snoddy. On 62 minutes Gould's good play ended with a shot which was blocked by Adams. A few cross was then deflected away by Stanley as the Linnets pressed for the all important second goal.

The course of the match probably swung however on 67 minutes when Herring was shown a second yellow card and thus being sent from the pitch for a foul on Camm. This seemed to spur Lynn on and on 77 minutes their second goal of the afternoon arrived. Camm picked out Nolan on the edge of the 18-yard box and the frontman's chip from 18-yards hit the inside of Snoddy's post and bounced into the net to make the score 2-0.

Melton then saw a driven shot saved by Snoddy and Frew's close range shot went wide before the same player increased his side's lead with a minute remaining as for the third time of the afternoon Snoddy was beaten by a chipped effort which sealed the afternoon perfectly for the home side, as the fans readied themselves for Sunday afternoon's visit of Tiverton.

t Result: King's Lynn 3, Chippenham 0

t King's Lyn: Howie, West, Blois, Hammond, Crane, Melton, C Defty, Camm, J Defty, Nolan, Gould

Subs: Bloomfield, Frew, Fisk, Gaughran, Marshall.

t Chippenham: Snoddy, Adams, Halliday, Metitiri, Stanley, Herring, Allison, Holly, Gilroy, Harvey, Badman.

Subs: Milsom, Griffin, Price, Knight, Etheridge.

t Referee: S Ross, Boston

t Attendance: 890