Ian Culverhouse knows there will be highs and lows for the young-guns coming through the ranks at The Walks.

But the King's Lynn Town boss believes he can help nurture some of the young fledglings at his disposal after seeing them suffer a slender defeat against Dunstable Town.

Lynn's chief handed a senior debut to Ryan Harnwell, 18, while on-loan defender Sam Cartwright, 16, played in the heart of Lynn's defence and Ryan Lennon, 20, came off the bench to make his first Southern League appearance.

Culverhouse said: 'I thought young Sam was excellent today. He showed good composure on the ball and wasn't bullied. If he keeps playing like that, he's going to have a bright future ahead of him. Ryan is going to be a handful but he's raw at the moment. It's up to me to slow him down and develop him.

'He's got development in him. He had a couple of half-chances today but showed his youthfulness by snatching at them.

'Lenny (Ryan Lennon) also came on and was exceptional. He gave us a little bit of spark and energy.'

Lynn's boss felt his side deserved more after watching them suffer back-to-back home defeats.

The Linnets dominated long periods of Saturday's encounter but were beaten by a late winner from visiting substitute Jet Esso.

After watching his players deliver a much-improved display from the Tuesday night reverse against St Neots, Culverhouse said: 'I was disappointed for the players as I thought they gave it their all.

'They worked their socks off and I was gutted for them to concede such a sloppy goal right at the end as they didn't deserve that. We're lacking that little bit of composure and quality in both boxes at the moment.'

Lynn: Street, Zielonka, Yong (McLeish 57), Cartwight, C. Ward, Everington, Clunan, Harnwell (Edge 70), Warburton, Hilliard, McQuaid (Lennon 61). Sub not used: Pearson.

Dunstable: Smith, J. Green, Okito, D. Green (Esso 83), Hewitt, Pepara, Olukanmi, Longe-Kinge, Oyinsan, Moussi (Diaz 61), Bola (Verney 69). Sub not used: Fontenelle.

Attendance: 567.

Referee: Mr H. Cutmore (Peterborough).