Mark Hearle Workington AFC 1, King's Lynn 1: Jack Defty again proved his worth to the cause as he came up with King's Lynn's equaliser in the frozen wastes of Workington on Saturday.

Mark Hearle

Workington AFC 1, King's Lynn 1

Jack Defty again proved his worth to the cause as he came up with King's Lynn's equaliser in the frozen wastes of Workington on Saturday.

It was the big front man's 85th career goal for the Linnets - and of the 68 games when Defty has found the net, Lynn have never lost.

Those matches break down to 59 wins and nine draws for a man who is fast approaching 300 career appearances for his home town team.

Linnets boss Keith Webb has always stated Defty's importance to his side but was less than impressed with his and his fellow team mates' first 45 minutes in Cumbria.

"Let's just say that I wasn't best pleased at the interval," confirmed Webb. "A few teacups hit the wall and I left them in no doubt that we had to improve in the second half. We made a very slow start and conceded a bad goal from our point of view.

"To be fair in the second half we have improved a bit and scored a decent goal of our own. If you had asked me beforehand if I would have settled for a point I would have said yes, but on reflection I think we could well have won all three points.

"What I, and every other manager up and down the country is looking for, is consistency. If we can find a decent level of performance on a regular basis as I've said before we are a match for any side in this league."

The Linnets made three changes to the starting line-up following the previous weekend's draw with Stafford Rangers. Defty returned for his first start since suspension following his cameo substitute performance last weekend, at the expense of John Turner. Greg Crane came in for the unfit Bradley Thomas at the back and Adam Smith was preferred to Ben Sedgemore in the Linnets' midfield.

Smith was involved early on as he exchanged passes with Scott Mitchell who miscued his shot and the early opportunity had passed.

Tony Hopper had Scott Howie diving at full stretch in the white frost that remained at one end of the Borough Park pitch all afternoon with a shot from 25 yards.

Gareth Arnison had a close range effort blocked by the Linnets' massed defensive ranks as the Reds continued to ask the questions.

On 19 minutes the opener arrived for the home side following one of many left-sided corners. Anthony Wright's delivery was spot on as Arnison was able to head back across goal for Jonny Wright to head home from four yards for his fifth goal of the season.

He had a chance for his sixth shortly after as Phil McLuckie was allowed to carry the ball 40 yards with no sign of a challenge from a Linnet player.

Crane flicked Michael Frew's corner at keeper Adam Collin who pushed the ball over his bar for a corner.

Workington replied as Anthony Wright sent a 35-yard screamer over Howie's bar.

With Webb's words still ringing in their ears, the Linnets were a better proposition in the second spell.

Frew shot across goal and Defty had loud penalty appeals waved aside as the Linnets finally gave the Reds something to consider. Crane had to be at his best to deny Arnison from close in and home defender Kyle May blocked Defty for a Lynn corner kick. From this Defty was able to rise above his marker and plant a powerful header past Collin.

Anthony Wright nearly undid all of Lynn's good work with a shot from a tight angle but was blocked by Luke Graham, although a point apiece was a fair result. The Linnets are now unbeaten in their last three outings as they prepare for their next challenge - next weekend's sequel with Workington in the FA Trophy.