Ian Culverhouse has called on his players to 'stand up and be counted' as King's Lynn Town prepare for a tough month ahead.

The Linnets have surrendered top spot in the Southern League following their 1-0 defeat at the new pacesetters, Kettering Town, on Monday.

However, Culverhouse was far from despondent ahead of today's visit by Dorchester Town – the first home game of the new year. After that it's bottom side Gosport Borough and 12th-placed Frome Town before three of the current top six – Weymouth at home, Hitchin away and then Hereford at The Walks.

Culverhouse's optimism stems from the performance at Kettering when the result could have been different had Michael Clunan not missed an early penalty – leading simply to frustration on the manager's part.

'I thought that was one of our best performances for some time,' he told the club's official website.

'Our shape was good and we have conceded to a breakaway goal, probably their only worthwhile effort of the afternoon, We have been unlucky at the other end as well.

'Had the penalty have been converted and Metts (Leon Mettam) hit the net instead of the post with his effort you are talking of a different game.

'We created several other half chances which we need to start converting, but I would be more worried if those chances were not being created in the first place.

'I heard the announcement that the man of the match was the home keeper and that tells you all you need to know about the afternoon. Yes, I was disappointed with the result, but not the performance.

'We now need to carry on that kind of performance, adding the goals to it, and we will be in a good place,

'We have some big games ahead this month so we will need the players to stand up and be counted and I know this group of players will do that.

'There is a strong spirit amongst them of togetherness and determination which is always the foundation of a progressive unit'.

While Dorchester are struggling, with just one away win in 13 attempts, they received a boost after a 3-0 New Year's Day victory over fifth-placed Tiverton Town.