Stafford Rangers 0 King's Lynn 0
2nd September 2008
THE Linnets are certainly not lacking the X-factor this season – well for pools punters anyway.
So far this season there have been 32 drawn games in the Blue Square North and Lynn have been responsible for almost a quarter of them.
This latest point – their seventh on the bounce – was again largely down to Scott Howie with some late saves.
But this game wasn't as one-sided as Lynn's previous outing at Stalybridge Celtic and Linnets boss Keith Webb said: "There was a definite improvement in our performance and attitude.
"Any point away from home is a good one, but I would of liked to have seen us test their keeper a little bit more."
Webb handed debuts to recent signings Scott Mitchell from Rushden and Adam Smith at the expense of David Bridgwater and Ben Sedgemore, while big summer signing Julian Joachim was left to warm the bench for the third consecutive game.
The opening exchanges saw new-boy Mitchell head wide of the target after some neat work by Michael Frew down the right, while at the other end Howie was alert to David McNiven's long-range effort.
Lynn’s Jack Defty earned his corn by rescuing his defence after Tom Thorley had played in Andre Francis, before the wasteful McNiven blasted over.
Ben Chapman then shrugged off the attentions of Dave MacPherson to set up Joe Francis, whose effort was brilliantly saved by home goalkeeper Danny Alcock.
Alcock was injured in making the save and after receiving some lengthy treatment was ushered off the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
A Smith free-kick sailed harmlessly over the Stafford woodwork, while Frew’s centre was guided behind for a corner as Lynn finished the half strongly.
Stafford grew in confidence as the game wore on and Lynn rarely tested substitute teenage keeper Danny Allen, who was making his league debut for Rangers.
The Linnets had to withstand a late onslaught from the hosts.
Stuart Pierpoint’s powerful header flew narrowly wide of the target and MacPherson’s finishing left a lot to be desired.
In the 81st minute Howie pulled of a stunning save to deny Francis, while Carl Palmer missed two chances to break the deadlock in the dying embers of the game.
Stafford: Alcock (Allen 35), Loukes, Thorley, Daniel, Amos, Palmer, Wilson (Ingram 67), MacPherson, McNiven, Francis. Subs not used: McMahon, Spalding, Morris.
Bookings: Wilson, Pierpoint, Francis
Lynn: Howie, Weaver, Chapman, Peters, Crane, Camm, Frew (Bloomfield 87), Mitchell (Joachim 68), Defty, Smith (Sedgemore 87), Francis. Subs not used: Turner, Murray.
Bookings: Chapman, Crane.
Referee: G. Etchells (Crewe) Attendance: 476.