Newmarket 1, King's Lynn 1: Adam Smith's injury scare marred King's Lynn's latest pre-season tune-up.

Newmarket 1, King's Lynn 1

Adam Smith's injury scare marred King's Lynn's latest pre-season tune-up.

Smith, last season's player-of-the-year, appeared in serious pain after a stoppage time collision with Sean Frost left him clutching his right ankle. He needed lengthy pitchside treatment after the final whistle with Linnets boss Tommy Taylor anxiously looking on.

Mark Camm had to carry his team-mate back to the changing rooms before Taylor re-emerged to deliver an encouraging bulletin.

"Nothing's broken," said Taylor. "At this stage I think it's just a badly twisted ankle. He went over on it when he landed awkwardly. I was a little worried because he usually gets up straight away. I don't think it will keep him out for long but obviously we won't take risks."

Paul Atkins cancelled out Mark Abbs' opener for last season's FA Vase quarter-finalists, who pushed Taylor's side hard in the sweltering conditions after a bright start from the visitors.

New signing Rob Norris and ex-Barnet midfielder Frazer Toms got 45-minute shifts with Taylor handing Norris' former Boston United colleague Luke Forbes a second-half run out at left-back.

"We'll certainly have another look at him," confirmed Taylor. "He's a good size with plenty of pace and his first thought is always to look for a pass. The lad is only 18 and thought he was going to get a professional contract at Boston United, but they have decided to let him go.

"I want to keep Frazer involved for the time being. The boy Norris has signed, but Burton have contacted him during the last few days. There's no problem - he's more than happy to be here, but his family wants to go and talk to them. You can understand that."

Sam McMahon again settled for a watching brief. Jack Defty was deployed behind Matt Nolan and Atkins with Michael Frew absent. Stephen Harvey sat out the action after picking up a knock in the reserves' friendly at Lincoln United while Matt O'Halloran missed the game for a physio session on a minor back problem.

Andy Pettitt twice tested Shaun Marshall from long range inside the opening seconds.

Grant Cooper smashed the bar with a 30-yard strike after Lynn had sliced open the Jockeys.

Atkins' acrobatic overhead kick sailed wide before Defty and Nolan spurned gilt-edged chances from close range.

Marshall's one-handed parry denied Tony Beck as the hosts grew in confidence. Newmarket's endeavour was rewarded on 68 minutes when Abbs found room to drill a left-footer past Marshall.

Lynn fashioned an instant response when Smith picked out Defty, whose first-time lay-off teed up Atkins to smack underneath Alec Bowthorpe from 16 yards.

Defty departed with a recurrence of his back problem shortly after, but the 10 men were only denied a winner when Pettitt foiled Atkins with a goal-line block.

King's Lynn: Marshall (Benstead 45), C Defty (West 35), Smith, Warren (Camm 45), Cooper (Hyde 45), Carey, Norris (Forbes 45), Kennedy (Toms 45), J Defty, Atkins, Nolan (Fell 56). Goal: Atkins (71)