NEWPORT PAGNELL 2, KING'S LYNN 4: Lynn joint boss Kevin Boon warns Town must put cup exploits on the back burner after reviving their UCL Premier Division title bid by inflicting a first home league defeat of the season on Newport Pagnell.

Town's troops have FA Vase semi-final and Norfolk Senior Cup final dates in their diary, but ended Newport's own slim title hopes with a ruthless first-half display.

Darren Lynch headed the hosts in front on two minutes before Luke Thurlbourne smashed Lynn level.

Jack Defty's 36th goal of the season and Steve Spriggs' clinical finish put Town in control until Vinny Shrieves pounced within seconds of the restart. Robbie Harris settled any nerves on the hour mark to keep the pressure on title rivals St Neots.

Lynn now trail the long-time leaders by six points with a game in hand and a potential title decider to come at The Walks next month.

'It was a professional performance,' said Boon. 'We had a meeting beforehand where we sorted a few things out and they know we want to bring new players in – so the lads already here are playing for places.

'I think there is a feeling that they have a big FA Vase semi-final just around the corner and Carrow Road as well and that has to be taken away from them. If we had lost here, the league season would have been over but now I think it's down to a straight two-horse race.

'We'll keep winning games and putting the pressure on St Neots for as long as we can and we're still unbeaten in 27 games.

'Myself and Setch (Gary Setchell) want to try and improve the side and a couple of new faces will give everyone a lift. It will allow us to rest a few where we can and we feel that is the right way to go at this stage of the season.'

Town's hierarchy were rebuffed last week in their attempts to recruit Lowestoft's ex-Linnet Sam Gaughran and Thetford striker Matt Blake.

Lynn are still awaiting a decision on a transfer bid for Stamford defender Paul Malone but Boon revealed the club have had an offer accepted for Southern Premier outfit Bedford's defender Stuart Wall.

'I have placed a transfer bid on the table to their chairman and he gave us permission on Friday to speak to the player,' said Boon.

'He was a lad both myself and Setch had identified at the start of this season. He has confirmed he would like to come, but obviously the management over there are desperate to keep him.

'Like any manager, you want to keep good players but any players we sign at step three or four levels are not FA Vase cup-tied and if we are putting money down then the intention is to offer a contract for next season and the rest of this, because everything we do is geared as much towards next season.

'We're still hopeful of the Malone deal. I spoke to Clarky (Simon Clark) at Stamford and they are going to put up a fight to keep him as well.

'Obviously with him being contracted to the end of the season we can only speak to him if we get permission from the club but Buster (Chapman) has given us the green light to try and get both.'

Boon believes high-calibre defensive re-inforcements can only help Town cut out conceding soft goals.

'All through the season really teams sometimes have scored during periods when we are just not switched on enough,' he said. 'We do concede ugly goals and at the end of the season it could hurt us.

'I said it midweek that perhaps it's an experience thing and we have a young group who will mature in time, but that is taking nothing away from the lads.

'To come back here from a goal down against a team who had not been beaten in the league at home and to play some great football was a credit to them.'