A brace from Jack Defty helped King's Lynn Town keep their United Counties Premier Division title charges on course with a 3-0 win over Daventry United at The Walks today.

Jason Turner put the Linnets in front before Defty grabbed two goals in four second-half minutes to secure another vital win as the title race continues to hot up.

As the final whistle blew in Norfolk, Long Buckby were 3-0 up against Holbeach United, leaving Lynn 10 points clear with three games in hand over their nearest challengers.

Gary Setchell made two changes from the side that thrashed Irchester United 5-0 on Tuesday night as Lynn looked to continue their phenomenal unbeaten league run that began after Buckby won at The Walks in September.

Ryan Fryatt dropped to the bench as Ashley Deeney returned to the back four while Danny White was replaced in central midfield by Luke Thurlbourne. Deeney's inclusion saw captain Ross Watson return to the heart of his side's defence alongside Stuart Wall, the man he describes as 'Mr Consistent'.

Jordan Yong (calf) and Robbie Harris (stomach) didn't make the squad for the second game in a row after failing late fitness tests.

With the UCL title in their control after midweek results Setchell had urged his side to start well against the Motormen - who were making their last visit to Norfolk after announcing they will fold at the end of the season.

Jack Defty's comfortably-saved effort from the edge of the box aside, there were few chances in the opening 10 minutes. However, the Linnets looked the better outfit, especially when they switched the play from right to left and back again quickly.

Turner had the crowd on their feet in the 10th minute when he latched onto Dan Buhlemann's slide-rule through ball but his curling effort from outside the area drifted just wide.

The frontman went close again when he connected with Danny Beaumont's fantastic cross but his header sailed harmlessly over. And minutes later another outstanding centre - this time from the left boot of Jamie Thurlbourne - was headed wide by Wall.

The visitors nearly took an undeserved lead in the 23rd minute when Will Briscoe sprang the offside trap to race onto a Tom Lorraine pass. Thankfully for Lynn his first touch was too strong and Alex Street bravely snatched the ball from his feet.

Less than a minute later Jamie Thurlbourne crashed a sensational 35-yard free-kick against the bar while Rob Hughes fizzed his returned effort just wide. But Lynn soon took the lead in the 25th minute when Turner raced onto Wall's huge headed clearance and slotted home from close range.

As Hughes' influence on the game continued to grow and he started to pull the strings a second looked likely and it was the midfielder who nearly grabbed it but his effort was cleared yards from Daventry's goal line by Ricky Hill.

Defty nearly made it 2-0 with five minutes left of the half but Anthony O'Connor narrowed the angle and saved well with his legs after the big striker had turned Hill. And Daventry went even closer to finding the net - and grabbing an equaliser - less than a minute later when the quiet Briscoe dragged a half volley just inches wide.

Watson still had time to have a header cleared off the line before Beaumont nodded a raking cross-field ball from left-winger Thurlbourne against the bar. However, a half - which came to life after Turner had scored - ended with Lynn taking a slim advantage into the break.

Defty nearly doubled Setchell's side's lead minutes into the second half but his glancing header from Jamie Thurlbourne's in-swinging corner flashed just inches wide.

But the big number nine, who caused problems for Daventry's defence all afternoon, finally got Lynn's deserved second in the 58th minute when he powered another Jamie Thurlbourne corner home. The relief among the home support was evident - especially with title rivals Long Buckby comfortably beating Holbeach United.

Four minutes later Defty had bagged his second and Lynn's third when he side-foot volleyed substitute Steve Spriggs' cross from the byline home to all-but seal another victory for Setchell's table-toppers.

Watson headed over another fine free-kick from Thurlbourne's outstanding left foot before substitute Ciaran Beales nearly scored his first senior goal for the club but he blazed Spriggs' fine cross over on the stretch.

Street produced an absolute wonder save to deny Liam Cope whose header looked destined for the top corner as Daventry searched for a consolation. And from the resulting corner Lorraine headed over when it looked easier to score.

Substitutes Beales and Spriggs continued to impress - with the soon-to-be ex-Linnet winger reaching the byline on countless occasions.

• King's Lynn: Street, Deeney, Watson, Wall, Buhlemann, Beaumont (Spriggs, 57), L.Thurlbourne (White, 70), Hughes, J.Thurlbourne, Defty (Beales, 70) and Turner

Subs not used: Hails and Fryatt

• Goals: Turner (25) and Defty (58 and 62)

• Daventry Utd: O'Connor, Cope, Beevor, Moss, Hill, Champelovier (Taolin, 87), Childs (Trill, 77), Waldock, Lorraine, Briscoe (Hunt, 87) and Gould

Subs not used: Foster

• Booked: Lorraine, Waldock and Champelovier

• Referee: A. Griffiths

• Attendance: 655

• Pictures to follow