Photo Gallery & Video: Evo-Stik Division One South: King’s Lynn Town 2, Gresley 2
It was a painful night for captain Richard Bunting and Lynn - but both showed immense spirit to protect their unbeaten home record with a stirring second-half fightback.
Gary Setchell's second-placed Lynn looked set for their first Evo-Stik Divison One South reverse at The Walks last night thanks to Rob Spencer's goals either side of half-time.
But Russell Dunkley's header and a goal from substitute Danny Beaumont salvaged an unlikely point to stretch Lynn's unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.
Bunting missed his team's comeback after being substituted with a serious eye injury inside 30 minutes after taking a whack in the face while challenging for a header. And with Coalville losing 2-1 at Lincoln, Lynn's point could still prove to be a knockout blow in the shake up of the title race come April.
Gresley arrived late, forcing the start of the match to be moved back to 8pm. But once the game began, you would have thought it was Lynn who had just got off the bus. The Linnets were second best to everything in the opening stages. Gresley created a host of golden opportunities – at least one of which they should have taken.
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James Jepson forced Danny Gay into an early save before Philip Massingham, twice, went close. Lynn rarely threatened but remained in the game as Jepson and Richard Hanslow – who hit a post – to name just two, missed further chances.
But their deserved breakthrough finally came through Spencer eight minutes before the break when he slotted home the rebound after Gay had saved Massingham's effort.
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The misery continued after the break when schoolboy defending allowed an unmarked Spencer to slot home his second from a corner.
Jason Turner spurned a great chance before Dunkley's header from Steve Spriggs' corner gave Lynn hope. And as Gresley missed further chances, Setchell's men snatched a point when Beaumont's free-kick crept in. It was however, credited as an own goal at the time after opposing defender Michael Nottingham appeared to get the decisive touch.
There was still time for Hanslow to miss another chance – while Dan Quigley and Ross Watson spurned opportunities for Lynn – as his side travelled home without the win they should have recorded.
King's Lynn: Gay, Watson, Fryatt, Lee, Yong, Spriggs, Bunting (Bexfield, 24), Quigley, Thurlbourne (Beaumont, 70), Turner (Forshaw, 60), Dunkley. Subs not used: Street, Buhlemann. Goals: Dunkley (72), Beaumont (83)
Gresley: Hately, Woods, Gough, Strzyzewski, Nottingham, Barrett, Lyons, Jepson, Hanslow, Massingham, Spencer (Minshull, 78). Subs not used: Butler, Goodfellow, Langford, Dillon. Booked: Woods, Barrett. Goals: Spencer (37, 46).
Referee: A. Wilson.
Attendance: 561.
• Click on the related link on the right-hand side of this page to see Ian Burt's pictures from last night's game.
• Video footage of Danny Beaumont's goal - which at time was credited as an own goal - supplied by King's Lynn Town Football Club.
