King's Lynn Town manager Gary Setchell declared himself pleased as goals from Nelson Moreira, Stephen Spriggs and Luke Thurlbourne handed The Linnets a comfortable victory over AFC Kempston Rovers in the United Counties League Cup first round.

Setchell made four changes from the midweek win at Deeping Rangers, but insisted the Linnets were taking the competition seriously: 'Today was a pleasing result, we made the changes from midweek and we tried to play football, although our final ball did let us down at times,' he said.

'I felt we gave the competition the respect it deserves. The lads worked hard and I think we scored three fantastic goals. It's another game we have won and it takes us nicely into the Sleaford game on Tuesday.'

Matthew Hails deputised in goal and there were also starts for fringe players Dan Buhlemann, Ryan Fryatt and Ben Coe.

Lynn started on the front foot and the in-form Moreira had an early shot cleared off the line before Thurlbourne fired wide. Chances were few and far between but a stunning piece of skill from Danny Beaumont nearly opened the scoring. The former Dereham man flicked the ball past Mike Cox, and hit a low drive, forcing Kempston goalkeeper Martin Conway into a smart save.

Beaumont was clearly in the mood after his mid-week hat-trick and his superb driving run won the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position, which was wasted by Spriggs. The Linnets front man also went close in the 38th minute when he latched onto a through ball and fired into the side netting.

These were the only real chances for the Linnets in a dreary first 45 minutes on a wet and miserable day at The Walks.

The hosts started the second half positively and went close when Spriggs turned inside and fired inches over after a neat pass from Jordan Yong.

Lynn took a deserved lead just before the hour mark, when Moreira made it three goals in three games for the home side with a neat curling shot, after being set up by Yong.

The visitors came close to an equaliser in the 67th minute when substitute Danny Watson went clean through, but could not beat Hails in the home goal.

Lynn fell asleep minutes later and were fortunate to escape when Andrew Phillips fired just wide after a mesmerising run from Mark Bunker.

The Linnets gave themselves breathing space with 14 minutes remaining through Spriggs, as the former Wroxham speedster raced clear and slotted home past Conway to double the home side's advantage.

Lynn then sealed the game on 83 minutes. Thurlbourne played a neat one-two with Beaumont and finished with the cheekiest of back heels.

That completed the scoring as The Linnets kept their first clean sheet since the 1-0 FA Cup win over Haverhill Rovers five games previously.

• Kings Lynn: Hails, Bexfield (Wall), Buhlemann, Watson (c), Fryatt, Coe (White), Spriggs, L Thurlbourne, Beaumont, Moreira, Yong (Defty). Subs (not used): Street

Goals: Moreira (58), Spriggs (76), L Thurlbourne (83)

Bookings: Bexfield, Beaumont, Buhlemann

• Kempston Rovers: Conway, Bunker, Brown, Cox, Grieve (Draycott), McGregor (c), Mould, McRae, Clarke, Phillips, Farmer (Watson). Subs (not used): Green

Bookings: Bunker

• Attendance: 470