King’s Lynn Town 1 St Ives Town 0 – Linnets show spirit to progress in Trophy

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - The Lynn Players celebrate their win after the final whistle to go into the FA Trophy first round. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

An early goal from midfielder Michael Clunan was enough to see the Linnets through in a dour cup affair between two of the Southern League's in-form sides.

Lynn's new-found defensive solidity was again evident as the club kept their fourth sheet in five matches to extend their winning run to six matches in all competitions.

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Kurtis Revan on the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Manager Gary Setchell said: 'We didn't play anywhere near our best, but we stuck to our task well.

'I think we just about deserved the win and it was a game which we would have probably lost six weeks ago.

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy Lynn's Toby Hilliard takes a shot. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

'We kept the ball well but we didn't make full use of the pitch. Our goal probably went against us because the longer the game went on, the more we went into cruise control which is very dangerous.

'We've probably played better in some of the games we've been booed off than we did today when we were clapped off.'

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Ryan Hawkins on the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

According to Setchell, the recent return of key players has been crucial in Lynn's recent resurgence on the pitch.

'Now we've got competition for places, I've got players running around like mad men,' admitted Setchell.

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

'I've had players turning up all season knowing that they are in the side, but now I've got a few in the changing room not sure if they are playing or not.

'That's a good problem for me to have and also the football club as we can now rotate players if we want to.'

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Toby Hilliard heads the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Saturday's all-important goal arrived 12 minutes in, courtesy of another piece of magic from Ryan Hawkins

Hawkins delivered a delicious cross from the right, which was only half-cleared by Saints' goalkeeper Tim Trebes into the path of Clunan who volleyed home smartly.

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Kurtis Revan on the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

St Ives' best two chances of finding an equaliser fell the way of Josh Dawkin.

A minute into the second period, Dawkin was foiled by a fine save by Alex Street from a tight angle.

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy Michael Clunan heads the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

But the Saints' big opportunity of earning themselves a replay was wasted 10 minutes from time when the same player found himself one-on-one with Street only to guide his effort wide of the target.

Lynn: Street, Hawkins (Zielonka 85), Yong, Gaughran, Quigley, Smith (Emmington 90), M Clunan, Stevenson (McWilliams 65), Hilliard, Revan, Warburton. Subs not used: Edge, Pearson

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Lee Stevenson challenges for the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Goal: Clunan 12. Booked: Hilliard

St Ives: Trebes, O'Malley, Jarrold, Moyes, McDevitt, McGowan, Seymour-Shove, Cunniff (Higgs 66), Kelly, Dawkin, Penfold (Dias 79). Sub not used: Coulson

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Toby Hilliard on the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Ref: Mr M Law (Stoney Stanton)

Attendance: 684

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Michael Clunan celebrates his goal. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Michael Clunan celebrates his goal. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn Ryan Hawkins on the ball. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn's Kurtis Revan is challenged. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)

Action from King's Lynn Town v St Ives at The Walks in the FA Trophy - Lynn Town stand for a minute silence. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016Matthew Usher Photography 2016)