King's Lynn joint boss Gary Setchell admitted his men face an uphill task to wipe out a three goal deficit after today's FA Vase semi-final, first leg horror show.

Coalville's razor-sharp frontmen exploited a soft centre at the heart of the Linnets' backline whilst the club's prolific attacking unit failed to score for the first time since the opening day UCL defeat at Long Buckby.

Ravens' centre back Luke Miveld powered home a near post header prior to the break after Town had started the brighter. Jerome Murdock then pounced twice within 15 minutes of the restart to put the Midland Alliance outfit within touching distance of Wembley ahead of next weekend's second leg return at The Walks.

'The tie's not over but we've given ourselves a huge task,' said Setchell. 'Coalville, to be fair, were better than us on the day but to give them the goals we gave them was criminal. You have to take your hats off to them - they out-worked us and they were a real handful. We didn't get to grips with them. For the first goal, we could have stopped the cross coming in. For the second, the lad has run past three or four tackles and the third goal is just calamitous. The centre half has let the ball bounce, totally missed the flight of the ball and the lad has gone through and scored. Whether you are UCL level, FA Vase semi-final level or schoolboy level you can't give goals away like that.'

Charlie Defty was a surprise inclusion at right-back for Town after his first outing of the season in last weekend's League Cup defeat.

Brother Jack Defty forced an early corner but Miveld cleared at his near post. Charlie Defty made an early attacking foray but Ashley Wells was back sharply to cover.

Dan Buhlemann needed to make a last ditch tackle after Ross Watson's header dropped to Matthew Moore.

Jamie Alsop then eased Moore off the ball after Ryan Robins' towering knockdown caused a momentary alarm in the away penalty box.

Moore was eventually crowded out after Watson had again dithered with Town's backline struggling to combat the powerful striker.

Alsop forced Sean Bowles into a tip over on 15 minutes after exchanging passes with Jack Defty

Jamie Thurlbourne cut in twice in quick succession but Miveld was again alert.

Steve Spriggs led a rapid counter but dragged tamely at Bowles with Lynn now looking to have settled.

Luke Thurlbourne's impudent flick just before the half hour temporarily raised cheers from the travelling contingent but the ball nestled behind the Coalville goal.

Ryan Robins planted a close range header wide in the Ravens' best attack of the tie so far after Moore escaped down the right. Miveld rose powerfully on 34 minutes to break the deadlock from a short corner routine.

Spriggs was inches from dragging Town level when he tried to divert Luke Thurlbourne's angled cross home after Pat Bexfield pounced on Ashley Brown's weak clearance.

Moore wasa again on the prowl seconds after the restart when Buhlemann was robbed attempting to keep the ball in play deep inside his own box. The dangerous Moore then levered Bexfield off the ball to control Bowles' punt but curled wide from the edge of the area.

Murdock slammed home a messy second on 55 minutes after Robins was allowed to bundle his way to the byline past a string of Town tacklers.

Street then had to kick away Robins' right-footer with Coalville now firmly on top. Murdoch raced clear of Town's ponderous backline again to slot underneath the exposed Street on 63 minutes. Bowles saved at Robbie Harris' feet in his first meaningful action of the semi on 68 minutes after Town had introduced their supersub.

Luke Thurlbourne's piledriver struck Zak Costello with Lynn probing for a lifeline before the tenacious midfielder screwed a follow up wide. Spriggs went down inside the box but the referee waved play on with Town's support baying for a spot kick then Harris sidefooted home on 85 minutes but the assistant's offside flag cut short away celebrations.

Costello deflected Luke Thurlbourne's poke wide from just inside the Coalville box in the dying seconds.

Meanwhile, in the other semi-final tie, holders Whitley Bay struck twice in the final two minutes to complete a 2-1 comeback win against Poole on the south-coast.

• Coalville: Bowles, Everitt, Brown, Goodby, Costello, Miveld, Woodward, Wells (Attwood 80), Moore (Gardner 83), Murdock, Robbins (Carney 73). Subs (not used): Hodgkinson, Williams.

• Goals: Miveld (34), Murdoch (54, 63)

• King's Lynn: Street, C Defty (Harris 61), Alsop, L Thurlbourne, Buhlemann, Watson, Bexfield, Doherty, Spriggs, J Defty, J Thurlbourne. Subs (not used): McNeil, Bacon, Fryatt, Hails.

• Bookings: C Defty, Watson, Bexfield

• Referee: O Langford

• Attendance: 1,800