King's Lynn Town face one of their longest trips of the season today – and they must face it without skipper David Bell.

The former Norwich City and Crewe midfielder picked up a hamstring injury in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Buxton in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division.

It has ruled him out of the 450-mile round trip to Northumberland to face Blyth Spartans, who are enjoying an odd season, having progressed to the second round of the FA Cup.

That early December match, a televised north-east derby clash with League Two side Hartlepool United, is looming ever larger on the horizon for Blyth.

But that success means Spartans have managed to play only 14 league match so far, to sit third from bottom in the table and Lynn's visit being only the second league match at Croft Park in more than two months.

'It's a very false position, it was only two weeks ago that they were beating Altrincham 4-1 in the FA Cup to set up a televised tie with Hartlepool,' Lynn boss Gary Setchell said.

'They've also got one of the best players in the league in (midfielder) Robbie Dale. They are fit, young, strong and they beat us at home (1-0) at the end of last season so we know they are definitely a good side.

'We know it's a hellish journey but that's something we have got to overcome, so we can get on the bus having not been beaten, like at Buxton, then I'll be very happy.'

Steve Spriggs came off the bench to replace Bell at Buxton and scored to rescue a point.

Setchell is hoping for more of the same from his side, continuing: 'We'll be leaving at 7.45, but that's something we have to deal with, it's all part of the adventure of playing for King's Lynn Town Football Club.

'We got in at 10 to two the other night from Buxton but on a Saturday, that is what you do, you are out the door to football whether it is 10 in the morning, or seven or eight.

'It was definitely a point gained, and we could have won the game. Buxton are going to be in the top three but we stood up to them in the second half and if someone had come in then, they would have thought we were the home team.'

Setchell will be without Bell, as well as suspended defender Henry Eze and striker Sam Mulready, because of a broken nose. Michael Frew and Jackson Ramm (pictured) are also doubts.

'We've played seven games away from home (in the league) now and only lost two,' Setchell added. 'So if we can just keep chipping away when we're away from home and keep picking up the points at home, then at the end of the season we should have a chance of being in and around (the play-off positions).'