Gary Setchell will hope the introduction of a new face can help turn King's Lynn Town's season around as they prepare to host high-flying Ashton United.

The Linnets' manager yesterday boosted his options by signing defensive midfielder Conor Marshall from Conference North Boston United. And after just two wins this year, Lynn will be looking for the 22-year-old to add some much-needed steel to their armoury when they try to prevent a fifth successive home defeat against the second-placed team in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Lynn's boss told his club's website: 'Conor is a great signing for us and hopefully he'll be able to make us more solid across the middle of the park.

'The lad has been unlucky with injuries but I know he is very keen to come in and do a job for us. In my opinion he is a Richard Bunting type character and a style of player we have missed.'

Bunting was the perfect protector in front of the back four during his spell at The Walks which coincided with the memorable Evo-Stik Division One South title success of 2012/13. The former skipper left just a few months after lifting the trophy to drop back down the ladder and join AFC Rushden & Diamonds after suffering a serious of injuries which halted his run in the side.

Marshall – a comfortable defender who has made the transition into a slightly more advanced midfield position – made 120 appearances for the Pilgrims, who play a level above the Linnets. He was a regular this term until a leg injury, that became infected, kept him out of the team. The former Grimsby Town youngster has recently been on loan at basement boys Belper Town.

Marshall arrives to lift a dressing room that is low on confidence following a rotten run which has seen Lynn, fifth at the start of November, drop to 15th. Three wins in 20 has left Lynn just five points above the relegation zone going in to today's match.

Setchell, who has injury concerns over Ryan Fryatt and Peter Winn after the pair missed Tuesday's 3-1 home defeat to Matlock Town, added: 'Take away the Rushall and Workington performances at home, during this dismal run of results we've been working hard and playing some all right stuff and the players have been giving me some honest shifts. If they keep doing that – we are looking over our shoulders a little bit – we'll be fine. If we show that sort of character, effort and desire (that we did on Tuesday) we'll be fine.'