We can still win the league - O'Halloran

King's Lynn's joint top scorer Matt O'Halloran says the club's Southern League Premier revival must continue at Chippenham this weekend.

Ex-Norwich reserve boss Keith Webb celebrated his first victory in charge when O'Halloran's timely New Year's Day brace sunk Rugby to end a six-match winless run.

The 24-year-old insists the pre-season title favourites need to kick on in tomorrow's first meeting with the Bluebirds since last May's play-off semi final heartbreak.

"Chippenham is always a difficult place to go," he said. "They had a sticky start but no-one gets an easy ride there. I just hope we've had our hiccup for the season. You'd rather have one at this stage than during the run in when a few dodgy results can make a big difference. I know the top managers say they'd prefer points than games in hand, but it still gives us a nice cushion.

"If we can put a run together we'll be right up there challenging. Despite what's happened recently I'm still convinced we can win the league."

O'Halloran is at a loss to explain Lynn's desperate December.

"I've been asked that question a lot," he said. "I don't really have an answer. The squad has stayed pretty much the same, apart from Adam Smith leaving, and the attitude has never changed within the team. It's been massively frustrating because the players know we are good enough and so do the supporters. If that weren't the case there wouldn't be the same expectation.

"I don't honestly think there was any comedown from the Oldham cup game. Even that night we were saying, 'the run is over, but let's focus back on the league.'

"Tommy (Taylor) left, then Smudger, and maybe we needed time to adjust. We'd been lucky with injuries and suspensions and you need that to pick up the string of results we did. We had four midfielders sat in the stand the other day and it does affect the balance of the side."

O'Halloran's stunning Rugby display after three games sidelined with an ankle problem was tempered by a recurrence of Sam McMahon's hamstring injury.

"He's going to be out for maybe six weeks and that's a massive blow," said O'Halloran. "I've had that type of injury a couple of times so I know what it takes to get fit. Even in the short space of time he was on you could see what composure he brings to us. I had a bit of a scare in the warm up when I went over on my ankle. I managed to shake it off and it was great just to be playing again."

The ex-Boston flyer's second half winner marked a personal milestone.

"I'd set myself a target of 10 goals for the season," he said. "It was nice to hit that so early but the most important thing was the win - we'd have taken an own goal in the last minute.

"I thought we played some decent stuff at times, maybe not as fluent as earlier in the season, but definitely a step in the right direction. Keith wants me to get involved in games so I've got some licence to come inside and play off the two front lads. Tommy liked me to do the same and I think with Frazer Toms on the other flank it's good to pose the opposition different problems."

The midfielder is confident Taylor's successor can still lead a concerted promotion assault.

"Keith knows the score and he has some great ideas," said O'Halloran. "The fact he was attracted to the job in the first place tells you he could see what a good side we had here. It's difficult for players when they arrive at a new place - let alone managers. It'll take time for Keith to learn about us and vice versa."