King's Lynn Town 2 St Ives Town 1

Goals have been few and far between in Jacek Zielonka's career but his first of a new year could prove to be a crucial one if King's Lynn Town are to make a late charge towards the play-offs in 2017.

With literally seconds left on the clock, Zielonka's cross-cum-shot cross-cum-shot bamboozled everyone before somehow finding its way into the net off the inside of the post.

It completed a dramatic comeback by the Linnets who extended their unbeaten Southern League run to eight matches with this victory at The Walks.

The hosts had trailed at the interval following a 21st minute strike from former Lynn frontman Dubi Ogbonna before Lee Stevenson levelled matters 14 minutes into the second period. Linnets boss Gary Setchell hailed the match-winner after the substitute's last-gasp winner.

Setchell said: 'That's probably the best bad ball Jacek has ever put into the box, but he's probably deserved that to be fair.

'He's a versatile player and wherever you ask him to play he always gives you a 110 per cent.

'I pulled him in during the week and told him that he is very much part of my plans. I told him not to let his head drop and he was absolutely fine about it.

'He had two or three opportunities to put in other crosses before that mishit cross somehow managed to find the back of the net.

'As a manager, Jacek is an absolute dream for me.

'He is never injured, he never misses training and always gives you everything when he is out on the pitch. He is frustrating sometimes but today he has come off the pitch a hero and quite rightly so as there isn't a nicer lad than him at this football club.'

Although Zielonka's sixth goal in a Lynn shirt had a huge slice of fortune about it, Setchell felt his side were worthy winners against in-form St Ives who hadn't tasted defeat in any competition since the Linnets knocked them out of the FA Trophy back in November.

'It's a great start to the New Year but I felt we were the better side all afternoon,' said Setchell.

'Lee's header for the equaliser put us on the front foot and it changed the game.'

Lynn had sttarted brightly with Michael Clunan's ball into the box being chested down by Lee Stevenson whose shot on the turn was just too high. Ryan Hawkins went close again minutes when visiting 'keeper Tim Trebes pushed his effort round the post for a corner.

Ogbonna then opening the scoring against the run of play but Lynn kept going and finally equalised on the hour mark when Stevenson glanced home Clunan's corner.