FA Cup Third qualifying Round: Halesown Town v King's Lynn: The Linnets travelled to the Black Country for today's FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie in optimistic mode following a series of encouraging results.

FA Cup Third qualifying Round: Halesowen Town 1, King's Lynn 2

Lynn will take their place in the draw for the fourth qualifying round at Monday lunchtime. They well deserved their success in a pulsating and always entertaining cup tie.

The Linnets travelled to the Black Country for today's FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie in optimistic mode following a series of encouraging results. Team news ahead of the Linnets' 208th FA Cup tie was that John Higgs replaced the injured Shaun Marshall between the posts, and the fit-again Alex Notman came in at the expense of Rob Norris. Charlie Defty retained his defensive place with Grant Cooper still injured.

Lynn lost the toss and were set to kick up the slope.

Frew had the first goal attempt after four minutes forcing Woodhall to save at the expense of a corner which was only cleared with some difficulty.

Jack Defty then found Frew who set up the big No.7 for a shot, which he completely mis-kicked when well placed.

The Yeltz broke quickly and Lewis tried to get Szewcyk away but West made a timely interception.

A long kick from home keeper Woodhall found Szewcyk who played the ball to Fossdick who fired well over.

From a long free-kick taken by Pierrpoint found Amos who headed across the box for Szewcyk to volley well over.

Vehement appeals for a home penalty were waved aside by referee O'Sullivan as the goal attempt went just wide.

Lynn broke forward, Jack Defty carrying the ball into the box before finding O'Halloran whose effort was saved by Woodhall.

O'Halloran then produced a cross which was half cleared to Camm, but the midfielder lifted his shot well over.

On 25 minutes Charlie Defty robbed Lewis to find his brother Jack, who in turn played an attacking ball to Frew, but the Lynn forward's shot was easily saved by Woodhall.

On the half-hour O'Halloran did well to lay the ball back to Smith, who found Frew, whose hard shot on the turn was deflected for a corner.

Frew, again in the action, was put through by Jack Defty who had received a long ball from West, he had a great chance but Woodhall brought off a good save.

Halesowen replied with a free-kick taken by Williams, Szewcyk had a free header which Smith kicked away.

From yet another free-kick Higgs made a fine save from Amos' header.

The home side now forced a series of corners where their aerial power was seen to advantage with Lewis missing a fine chance as he Higgs blocked the effort.

Just on the interval Lynn responded well and Notman forced Woodhall into another fine save.

The game was proving an absorbing tussle between two very evenly matched sides.

Lynn had now gone 496 minutes since their last goal against Halesowen.

Half-time: Halesowen 0, King's Lynn 0.

Early second half play was held up by an injury to Pierrpoint.

Jack Defty then received the first caution of the afternoon for a foul which led to a fruitless corner for the home side.

Then from Frew's misplaced header, as Lynn attempted to clear yet another corner, let in the dangerous Lewis, but he shot straight at Higgs who turned the ball for a corner, from which Szewcyk hit the post, the ball rebounding to the grateful Higgs.

On 70 minutes Lynn brought on Nolan for Notman. He was soon into the action setting up Jack Defty for Pierrpoint to clear his scrambled effort off the line.

Then Lynn had equally loud penalty appeals turned away as West went down as Nolan played the ball into the box.

A minute later McMahon was the second Lynn player to find his way into referee O'Sullivan's notebook as he too was cautioned for a foul.

A third Lynn player was cautioned when O'Halloran was booked for a foul on the Halesowen left-back.

The free-kick came to nothing as Higgs safely gathered the ball.

Lynn went ahead in the 82nd minute when from West's quick throw to Matt Nolan, whose back heel fooled the home defence to allow O'HALLORAN to score with a low cross shot.

It had been 533 minutes since Lynn last scored against Halesowen.

The Yeltz replied with an attack down their left flank and Fossdick tested Higgs, but the goalkeeper was up to the task.

It took just four minutes for Lynn to score again when O'Halloran took advantage from a rebound off Michael Frew's shot after the ball had been crossed from the right by McMahon.

With two minutes of normal time remaining a handball in the penalty area by McMahon gave Halesowen a lifeline, which leading scorer LEWIS grateful accepted from the penalty kick for his 12th goal of the season to set up a desperate finale.

In injury time Lewis was sent off for a foul on O'Halloran, who had to be replaced by Norris.

Deep into injury time Charlie Defty made a good interception and put Nolan away, but his lob was just too high over the advancing keeper.

Final score: Halesowen 1, King's Lynn 2.

Attendance: 632

Halesowen: Woodhall, Warner, Haywood, Pierrpoint, Knight, Williams, Cowley, Lewis, Szewczyk, Amos, Forsdick. Subs: Cooper, Dowdall, Beckett, Brindley, Gale.

King's Lynn: Higgs, West, Smith, Warren, C Defty, Camm, J Defty, McMahon, Frew, Notman, O'Halloran. Subs: Gaughran, Nolan, Fry, Harvey, Norris.

Referee: B C O'Sullivan (Peterborough)