King's Lynn 3, Mangotsfield 0: King's Lynn boss Tommy Taylor saluted his players' staying power after a late second half salvo sunk British Gas Business Southern League, Premier Division rivals Mangotsfield.

King's Lynn 3, Mangotsfield 0

King's Lynn boss Tommy Taylor saluted his players' staying power after a late second half salvo sunk British Gas Business Southern League, Premier Division rivals Mangotsfield.

Michael Frew's hammer strike punctured the visitors' stubborn resistance before Jack Defty teed up Matt O'Halloran to fire past Mike Green. Defty's tenth of the campaign capped another productive afternoon for the impressive pre-season title favourites.

“I was delighted with the way we stuck at it,” said Taylor. “The lads were so frustrated at half-time. Mangotsfield didn't want to come out, they were happy putting everyone behind the ball and it was a total stalemate. I've never seen a ref blow his whistle that many times - there was no flow to the game.

“Once we scored everything opened up. I thought one might be enough but we kicked on again. The clean sheet was pleasing as well. I think our lads will get so much belief from winning a match like that.

“We knew what to expect when I saw the size of them before kick-off. They are a big, strong side who wanted to get in our faces and make it difficult - we stood up to the test.”

Taylor praised Charlie Defty for an assured central defensive shift in the absence of the injured Grant Cooper (ribs).

“I thought Charlie was magnificent,” he said. “I'd have given him the man-of-the-match. I just felt he could do us a decent job in there rather than midfield - especially with Mark Warren alongside him.

“It shows the squad strength. We had Alex (Notman) out as well but Rob Norris came in and he'll be better for the run out after not playing too many games at St Albans.”

Ellis Wilmot cleared under heavy pressure from Jack Defty before Dean West's glancing header rolled inches wide in a bright start for the leaders.

Frew towered above Jack Allward but his looping header lacked direction.

Rob Claridge's point blank header dribbled through to Shaun Marshall after Cornwall teased Dean West down the left.

Frew's acrobatic volley from Defty's intelligent flick had Green scrambling before Gary Warren's desperate clearance foiled the overlapping Smith after O'Halloran's counter teed up the raiding full back.

Sam McMahon fired straight at Green from Frew's energetic burst then Rob Norris blazed over from the edge of the box as Lynn finally moved through the gears.

Neil Arndale found the unmarked Claridge seconds after the restart but Marshall gathered the bustling striker's tame effort with Linnets' skipper Warren appealing for offside.

Mangotsfield's dangerman had Marshall back pedalling on 52 minutes with a speculative lob then Cornwall hooked over after Chris Mills had picked out the flying winger at the back post.

Matt Nolan's introduction pushed the hosts onto the front foot - the elegant striker forcing Green to spill Mark Camm's hanging cross but Arndale hacked Frew's goalbound header behind.

Frew's individual brilliance finally broke the deadlock on 67 minutes - a low fizzing 20 yard hit the perfect finish to a slaloming run past a trio of retreating defenders.

Referee Burt interrupted the celebrations to brandish a yellow card for the former Nuneaton Borough man's bare chested exuberance.

Warren's flying header flew into the Hospital End before O'Halloran slotted a superb second - poking underneath the advancing Green after Defty's cute touch had created a yard of space in the congested box.

Cornwall's curling free kick clipped the goal scorer as the visitors looked to mount a comeback.

Defty sealed the hard fought win when he burst past Ollie Price to roll the ball beyond Green after Nolan had deflected Sam McMahon's punt into his path.

King's Lynn: Marshall, West, Smith, Warren, C Defty, Camm, J Defty (Fry 83), Mahon, Frew, Norris (Nolan 56), O'Halloran (Harvey 90). Subs (not used): Gaughran, Higgs.

Goals: Frew (67) O'Halloran (73), J Defty (82)

Booking: J Defty

Mangotsfield: Green, Arndale, Allward, Warren, Price, Wilmot, Cornwall, French, Claridge, Anyinsah (Dieye 78), Lane. Subs (not used): Meaker, Howells, Lock, Book.

Booking: Warren

Attendance: 914

Referee: S Burt (Northants)

King's Lynn's youth team host Dereham Town tonight in the FA Youth Cup second qualifying round. (7.45pm) Admission prices £2 adults, £1 concessions.