Gary Setchell admitted a half-time dressing down helped inspire King's Lynn Town to victory at Lincoln United on Saturday.

The Linnets boss was unhappy with his side's display during a goalless opening 45 minutes against the bottom side in the Evo-Stik Division One South – and let them know about it.

He sent them out early for the second period with his words still ringing in their ears and they responded by ending their mini-goal drought in open play to notch three times and win an exhilarating encounter.

Setchell said: 'Choice words would be a fair way to describe it. I thought we were sloppy first half and we weren't really at it.

'That's not something you can accuse these players of doing very often since the start of the season. We've usually been at it from the first minute, but I felt we turned up, and because they'd played five and lost five, subconsciously – not from me or the staff – the players crossed the white line and thought it was going to be a cakewalk.'

Setchell's troops went behind thanks to Chris Funnell's breakaway goal in the 49th minute, but a brace from substitute Jamie Forshaw turned the game on its head.

With five minutes left, Scott Reddington appeared to have snatched a draw for the pointless hosts but another introduction – this time Rob Hughes – paid dividends with the midfielder powering home a brave header to secure Lynn's win less than 60 seconds later.

'You've got to give credit to our lads. There were never-say-die again,' said Setchell.

'The boys showed unbelievable character to get themselves back in the game, then getting themselves in front, conceding again and then getting the winner. The lads were buzzing afterwards.

'We just about edged the result and it's another three points. That's 10 from 15 and we're happy with that start. I know you can't play well every week, but we did win a game without playing as well as I'd have liked so that's pleasing.

'Plus Forshaw came off the bench and scored two goals, Hughesy came off the bench and scored the winner, so it does prove we've got a bit of a squad here.'

Striker Russell Dunkley, an unused sub at the weekend, should be fit for tomorrow's league game at home to Brigg Town.

• To read a match report from Saturday's game click on the related link on the right-hand side of this page.