Brackley have never beaten King’s Lynn and that record continued with The Linnets’ midweek win in a tight, well contested game of few chances played in wet and blustery conditions.

A below par Brackley struggled to find their rhythm in a dour first half, only coming into the game towards the break. King’s Lynn created the only goal chances of the half, Greg Taylor firing narrowly wide, Jonny Margetts shooting at Jonny Maxted when well placed and Ross Crane also wasteful after intercepting a loose cross-field pass bringing a save from Maxted.

The second half was altogether more open but with defences still on top. The visitors were close from a corner, the ball dribbling wide after a goalmouth scramble, before going ahead on 73 minutes, Kyle McFadden reacting first to touch the ball past Maxted.
Brackley’s only shot on target of note came in the 90th minute from substitute Dempsey Arlott-John on his first appearance, a well struck first-time effort that had Patrick Boyes in the King’s Lynn goal scrambling to beat it away.

The win lifts The Linnets’ into second place with Saints in 9th spot nine points off top placed Curzon Ashton.
“We didn’t start well and they came out of the traps and really put it on us so we were a little fortunate to go in at the break at nil-nil,” Gavin Cowan said. “The second half was closely contended. I can’t fault the lads’ application and endeavour but you have to concentrate for the whole game and we didn’t. We left somebody unmarked in the penalty area and paid the price. We had nothing to lose in the final fifteen minutes and gained some momentum. It is a tough night losing at home.”

Brackley Town: Maxted, Carline, Lyttle, Dean, Calder, Lowe, Bates (Abbey 86), Byrne, Roberts, O’Sullivan (Arlott-John 77), Hall. Subs unused: Worby, Griffin.

King’s Lynn Town: Boyes, Rowan, Sass, McFadden, Wilson, Taylor, McCammon, Crane (Hughes 68), Barnes (Walker 90+4), Hmami, Margetts (Omotayo 84). Subs unused: Coulson, Williams.

Referee: Ashley Clarke Assistants: Luke Bowles and Jason Porter 4th official: Jeff Aldous
Attendance: 574