Kings Lynn's Town dismal goalscoring record returned to haunt them at the Valley Stadium as a goal in each half handed the points to Redditch.

The Linnets have netted just six times in the league this season and a lack of composure again proved their Achilles heel on Saturday. Plenty of possession counted for nothing when it took an hour before managing to get in a shot, Liam Hurst putting a 25-yard effort wide of the target.

'We were disappointed to go in 1-0 down (at half-time) but still felt there was something there for us,' manager Gary Setchell said.

'We've come out in the second half and camped in their half only to shoot ourselves in the foot again with their second goal.

'We kept going and their keeper's made a great save with 20 minutes to go. I've said to the players that we play some real nice stuff at home against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup but when you are away from home and you need your players to take the game by the scruff of the neck, it didn't happen.

'But you have to give credit to Redditch, they got in our faces and stopped us playing.'

The Linnets fell behind on 28 minutes when Jamey Osborne's inch-perfect pass put Jamie Ashmore in on goal and he poked the ball past advancing keeper Alex Street.

And when the home side added a second on 52 minutes, Luke Shearer planting the ball just inside the upright from the edge of the area, it should have been all over for Setchell's side. But they dug in and tried to find a way back with Hurst and Michael Clunan just off target.

There should have been a third for Redditch when Street brought down Ashmore, earning himself a booking and giving the home side a penalty. But he regained his composure to produce a smart low save to keep out Danny Dubidat's kick.

Ryan Fryatt and Sam Mulready soon went close to finding the net for Lynn – whose boss praised striker Toby Hilliard's efforts.

'He's keeping some senior players out of the team at the minute because of the effort he puts in,' Setchell added.

'He does some daft things occasionally because he's young but he does so much good stuff and once he settles down he will be a really good player for us.'

Redditch: Veiga, Haynes, Flanagan, Loveridge (Westbrook 56), Mutton, Richards, Ashmore, Osborne, Dubidat (Molyneux 82), Carline, Shearer (Bunn 88). Subs not used: Bridgewater, Moreton. Booked: Osborne, Loveridge. Goals: Ashmore (28), Shearer (52)

Lynn: Street, Fryatt, Yong, Miller, Gaughran, Marshall, Clunan, Hurst, Hilliard, Stevemson, Zielonka. Subs not used: Bridges, Castellan. Booked: Zielonka, Street, Miller.

Ref: G Taylor

Attendance: 277