Paddy Davitt King's Lynn 0, Southport 0: Lynn boss Keith Webb saluted his club's collective spirit after a battling Blue Square North draw against title pretenders Southport.

Paddy Davitt

Lynn 0, Southport 0

Lynn boss Keith Webb saluted his club's collective spirit after a battling Blue Square North draw against title pretenders Southport.

For 95 entertaining minutes the focus returned to 11 men in Yellow and Gold kicking a white object in the midst of concerted efforts to attract fresh financial muscle onto the Linnets' board.

Those fans who answered the club's SOS to turn out in force were rewarded for their loyalty - despite the lack of goals. Lynn ruffled another promotion-chasing side, stood firm when Southport countered, and could have nicked it late on had Scott Mitchell's flashing right footer flew a yard under the crossbar.

That a game took place at all was down to a week-long crusade from home officials and a Saturday morning work party of supporters clearing snow from The Walks' pitch.

“This is a time to rally round and we're all doing that at the minute,” said Webb. “I just want to put on record my thanks to everyone who contributed and gave their services to the club free of charge. Clubs like ours have to rely on that sort of thing and I can only praise them on behalf of myself and the players.

“We've got a good bunch of boys here. If anyone was in any doubt this performance should prove that. They went out, knuckled down, and applied themselves professionally. Considering what has gone on off the pitch that display spoke volumes. It's tough for everyone right now but all I can do is concentrate on the football side and make sure the players give what they can. It's up to the club to sort out the financial side.”

Webb hoped vital match day revenue can buy Lynn's board time in the hunt for new investment following hoped vital match day revenue can buy Lynn's board time in the hunt for new investment following the recent departure of major backer Michael Chinn.

“You're seeing it all over the country at the minute,” he said. “Games are being called off with the weather so no money is coming in. Then you are relying on directors putting money in but sooner or later something has to give.

“Hopefully anyone who came along to watch will see we're not far away from being a good side and want to be part of that. The bench we had in this game tells you the strength we have in the squad. You want to be able to keep it together and move forward but that is out of my hands at this minute.”

Lynn's hard-earned league point in a see saw encounter further eased lingering fears of being sucked back into the relegation picture.

“I think a draw was a fair result,” said Webb. “When you look at the two teams there wasn't a lot between us. Jockey (Julian Joachim) had one off the line, Jack (Defty) has seen a volley well saved and we've had a couple of one-on-ones at the end. Maybe five or six weeks ago when we were put under the sort of pressure we faced in the second half we might have caved in.

“Not now. These games are tight and it's always going to be a mistake or hoping something might fall for you. Mitch is through at the end and just about to tuck it away but as he goes to shoot the ball bobbles up - you could see it pop up from where I was standing but all in all I was pleased with the application, the discipline. We just have to keep our heads now.”

Webb was also delighted back-up keeper Rob Murray justified his faith in selecting an unchanged line up. Fit-again number one Scott Howie was again kept in reserve as Murray capped a mature display with a sublime tip over in a frenetic final quarter to claw out Mark Duffy's accurate free kick.

“It was a fantastic save,” said Webb. “At the minute he is making my mind up for me. Rob has had to wait a long time to get his chance and you have to give him credit. The free kick was going in but to get his fingers to it was outstanding and probably won us a point in the end. We've played the top three in a row and done well. I knew it was always going to be a case of evolving as the season progressed.

“Mark Peters coming back into the team obviously makes a big difference but I think Jonno (Andy Johnson) and Mark Camm do a good job screening in front of the defence as well.”

King's Lynn: Murray, Graham, Chapman, Peters, Thomas, Camm, Frew (Francis 60), Johnson, Defty, Joachim, Mitchell. Subs (not used): Hurren, Smith, Fisk, Howie.

Bookings: Chapman, Frew

Southport: McMillan, Lever, Gray, Flynn, Davis, Powell, Booth (Robinson 73), Winn, Daly, McGinn, Whalley (Duffy 67). Subs (not used): Connolly, Millington, Drench.

Booking: Whalley

Added on time: 1 min / 4 mins

Referee: K Lawson (Scunthorpe)

Attendance: 972