King's Lynn 1, Long Buckby 0: Chris Bacon's first minute strike was enough to ensure a vital three points in the UCL Premier Division last night for King's Lynn Town at a nervy Walks.

The big striker's second goal in three day's set up a potential winner takes all encounter with St Neots Town at The Walks on Saturday as the Linnets reduced the gap at the top of the table to seven points with two games in hand.

Saints' boss Dennis Greene was again in attendance and looked on as Bacon prodded home from a yard following Jamie Thurlbourne's inviting centre from the left.

Jack Defty was inches away from his 40th season goal as his looping header landed just wide of Tom Stephanou's right post. The inventive Stephen Spriggs played in Bacon who should have done better than roll the ball wide. The visitors then had a purple patch as Dan Holman's lofted shot worked Alex Street and Fazel Koriya shot weakly from a central position.

Dan Quigley's curling effort at the start of the second half emphasised the visitors' confidence to find an equaliser but it was Lynn who nearly grabbed a second when Spriggs' precise ball found Defty who struck a post from four yards.

Buckby's Ashley Robinson produced another hurried save from Street as the home support became more edgy.

Lively Linnets' substitute Robbie Harris chanced his arm from distance with a shot that grazed Stephanou's upright and at the other end Quigley fired high and wide as the visitors passed over the chance to equalise leaving Town's slender lead intact. The final whistle was met by roars more of relief than delight as the home side gained an invaluable three points as their quest for promotion stepped up another gear.

King's Lynn Town: Street, Bexfield, Alsop, Luke Thurlbourne, McNeil, Watson, Spriggs (White), Doherty (Buhlemann), Defty (Harris) Bacon, Jamie Thurlbourne. Subs (not used): Fryatt, Stone.

Booking: Buhlemann

Goal: Bacon (1)

Referee: J Thorold Spalding

Att: 636