Paddy Davitt King's Lynn 4, Hyde 1: Spare a thought for Hyde - no manager, no away wins and not even a point on the Tigers' league travels. Add to that the misfortune to hit Norfolk the day Keith Webb's men re-discovered the way to goal - a trail they struck more than 90 times during last season's victorious Southern League title march.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn 4, Hyde 1

Spare a thought for Hyde - no manager, no away wins and not even a point on the Tigers' league travels.

Add to that the misfortune to hit Norfolk the day Keith Webb's men re-discovered the way to goal - a trail they struck more than 90 times during last season's victorious Southern League title march.

Hyde arguably edged possession - perhaps not quite in the total football mode, despite the orange shirts - but Lynn's greater potency was painfully evident from the moment Jack Defty rose unchallenged to power home the hosts' opening corner.

The visitors could have bailed out and gone under with no captain to guide the ship after Steve Waywell's six-year tenure was ended by 'mutual consent' on the eve of Hyde's trip south.

But they showed plenty of grit and twice inside a minute Simon Weaver and Adam Smith thwarted the Tigers inches from Scott Howie's goal line.

A pre-match glance at Mark Camm's goalscoring record testified Hyde were on a loser as Lynn's occasional midfield marksman surged from the centre of the park before pouncing on Joe Francis' deflected cross.

Lynn spurned gilt edged chances after the break and although it looked like a matter of how many, Hyde survived, cleared scrambled senses and hit back through Matthew Tipton's glancing header.

Michael Frew and Danny Bloomfield finally subdued the battling visitors, another tough afternoon in the Blue Square North school of hard knocks.

“I think the scoreline flattered us a little bit,” conceded a magnanimous Webb. “But we've threatened that for a while. We'd been creating enough chances so it was good to put them in the back of the net.

“Goals change games and it turned for us here. That has to give the boys even more confidence. Hyde came and gave it a go. I never felt comfortable, not even at 2-0 because the next one is so important.

“They get it, it gives them a lift. We get it, it's game, set and match. Once the third went it I felt a little bit more relaxed, but we're learning quickly.”

Lynn are still unbeaten in their Conference bow and were solid in defence in the absence of suspended skipper Greg Crane and injured left back Ben Chapman.

Scott Howie was largely a spectator, save one excellent second half reaction stop to parry Mark Inness' strike from Chris Symm's towering knockdown.

Defty's fourth goal of the campaign and a rare header from master marksman Bloomfield to seal the biggest win of the season, but central midfield remains the conundrum.

One man remains a constant - Camm. Sorely missed against Tamworth in midweek and restored here, with a rare appearance on the scoresheet.

“We'll probably have to wait another 12 months now so we won't get carried away,” said Webb. “He normally gets one a season. I think the last time was around this stage as well. But he did great. That is why Cammy is in the team. He breaks up the play so well. Okay. One or two passes went astray but you have to accept that.

“If I didn't, I'd have to look for players like Makelele to play that role. He is such a willing lad and does a good job for us.”

Camm's slot from eight yards was match point. Lynn double faulted after the break, with Jack Defty heading wide six yards out and Weaver's own unmarked header dropping wide.

Tipton's glancing flick reduced the arrears on 79 minutes but Frew avoided a nervy finale, hammering past Craig Dootson from an acute angle after Bloomfield's flashing header slammed the foot of a post. Bloomfield gave Hyde their last rights with a final minute flourish.

King's Lynn: Howie, C Defty, Smith, Peters, Weaver, Camm, Frew, Mitchell (Fisk 58), J Defty, Joachim (Bloomfield 70), Francis (Turner 76). Subs (not used): Sedgemore, Murray. Goals: J Defty (6), Camm (37), Frew (84), Bloomfield (90).

Hyde: Dootson, Brass, Lynch, Munroe, Williams (Cooke 45), Inness, Cartwright, Harrison (Rick 35), Tipton, Symm, Clee (Owens 80). Subs (not used): Bailey, Bernstein. Booking: Clee. Goal: Tipton (79).

Referee: W Norcutt (Essex)

Attendance: 1,095

t Tonight's testimonial match for Wisbech Town midfielder Mark Jimson will be the final match at Fenland Park.

Although currently sidelined through injury, the 32-year-old is expected to play some part against neighbours King's Lynn (7.45pm).

Roy McManus and Jackie Gallagher will manage Jimson's Wisbech XI, with a large squad including current players, plus former 'keeper Ian Pledger, Paul Hill, Martin McNeil, Simon Flanz, Steve Appleby, Nick Reeson, David Cobb, as well as brother Mark Jimson and their father, Colin.

Having played for the club's youth team, Jimson made his senior debut on May 14, 1993 - a 1-0 defeat at Tiptree - and clocked up 261 appearances, plus 26 as sub and 26 goals.

The Ridgeons Premier club plan a temporary ground move to Outwell for the rest of this current season while a proposed new stadium is built, and King's Lynn boss Keith Webb confirmed his first team squad will be on duty for tonight's match.

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions.