King’s Lynn Town 2, AFC Kempston Rovers 0

King's Lynn Town boss Gary Setchell revealed some choice half-time words were behind his side's improved second half performance as the Linnets eventually eased past a lively AFC Kempston Rovers. Front men Robbie Harris and Danny Beaumont grabbed a goal each in a 2-0 win.

Setchell said: 'I had words with the players at half-time as I was far from happy. The back four and Danny White kept us in the game first half and we were lucky to be winning at the interval. Robbie and Danny (Beaumont) could not hold the ball up, so the ball was coming straight back at our defence. We had words at half-time, and the second half was more like a King's Lynn performance we are used to seeing.'

Setchell handed a debut to new signing Ashley Deeney, who signed from St Neots Town on Thursday. Deeney replaced the unfortunate Dan Buhlemann, with Jamie Thurlbourne coming in for Ben Coe the only other change to the team that beat Newport Pagnell.

The visitors started on the front foot and forced Alex Street into action, in form Danny Watson gave the Linnets backline plenty to think about during the early exchanges. It took until the 27th minute for the home side to test Kempston goalkeeper Martin Conway, Beaumont's drive forced Conway into a smart save.

King's Lynn took the lead five minutes before the interval; Stephen Spriggs laid the ball on a plate for Harris, who beat Conway with a neat finish. It was the first time the home side had stretched their opponents.

The Linnets hit the ground running in the second half and Beaumont made it 2-0 just two minutes after the restart, the former Dereham Town man tapped home a superb cross from Jamie Thurlbourne. Minutes later Street produced a stunning save to keep out Phil Draycott and preserve King's Lynn Town's two goal advantage.

The home side were totally dominating now and only the quick reactions of Conway denied Spriggs as he was set through by Harris. Harris went close minutes later after some superb work down the right by Deeney.

King's Lynn almost added to their lead on 80 minutes, Jamie Thurlbourne's free kick just evaded the AFC Kempston crossbar. Lynn held on to record a comfortable victory, and with Long Buckby drawing with Cogenhoe, could be a big day for The Linnets come May.

• King's Lynn Town: Street, Deeney, Yong, Fryatt, Wall, Hughes (C) (Buhlemann), Spriggs, White, Harris (Harrold), Beaumont (Defty), Jamie Thurlbourne

Unused Subs: Hails, Coe

Goals: Harris (40), Beaumont (47)

Bookings: Yong, J.Thurlbourne

• AFC Kempston Rovers: Conway, Jarrold, Brown, Coxy, Grieve, McGregor (Clark), Draycott, McRae, Mould (Farmer), Watson, Smith (Phillips)

Unused Subs: Hall

• Attendance: 657