Martin Davis The Linnets were greeted by cacophony of sound from their vociferous and numerous travelling support as they took the field for this vital encounter.

Martin Davis

BGB Southern Premier League

The Linnets were greeted by cacophony of sound from their vociferous and numerous travelling support as they took the field for this vital encounter.

And after a pulsating game ended 1-1 it's still all to play for in the Championship race.

Lynn boss Keith Webb, not surprisingly, decided to stick with the side that had decisively defeated Bashley midweek, with the exception of John Turner being fit enough to return to a bench place from injury in place of Kieran Deane.

Lynn won the toss and elected to kick towards their supporters. A Jack Defty flick-on saw Matt Nolan racing on to the ball but Sawyer was quick off his line. Minutes later he had to be even faster as Nolan almost reached a ball over the top. Jack Defty was bought down by Matthew Rose on the edge of the Gloucester box. From the free-kick Michael Frew struck the bar with the keeper well beaten.

Chapman then fired a cross into the box which Sawyer held under the crossbar. A Frew cross-field ball found Francis whose cross shot beat the keeper but was kicked away from the line by a defender, the rebound falling into Sawyer's grateful arms.

Sedgemore, for Lynn, passed to West who in turn found Frew who crossed to the back of the box, causing Richards to hack the ball away.

A Lynn attack on the left flank involving a four-man move gave Frew a shooting chance which lacked power and went wide.

It was all Lynn in the early stages as they dominated proceedings. Francis rolled the ball into the box where Fisk tried a shot which was blocked to Frew who mis-cued his effort but Sawyer inexplicably failed to gather as Francis closed in but the ball was scrambled clear.

Gloucester's first aggressive effort came with a shot high and wide by Alex Sykes and then Lee Smith made a break on their left flank but was stopped by a good tackle from West. A further Gloucester move on the left involving Morford and Smith saw Howie diving to claim the cross. When Morford attempted a run he was well policed by Bains.

At the other end Gloucester's Reid fouled Francis when the winger made a promising break but his kick went straight to the keeper.

Lynn had a great chance to take the lead when a long ball from Bains found Nolan who was brought down in the box by Mark Richards who was cautioned for his foul. Francis took the penalty but Sawyer made a good diving save.

Then Chapman was lucky not to be cautioned following a foul on Richards. Nolan attempted another foray into the box but this time ran the ball out. Minutes later Jack Defty was cautioned for a foul on Neil Mustoe. For Lynn, Nolan found Frew who pulled the ball back to the edge of the box but Richards intercepted.

Gloucester forced their first corner but Sykes wasted the flag kick.

A long ball from defence by Crane was chased by Nolan but Sawyer was quick to leave his charge and fall on the ball. Chapman then found Francis who put in a good cross but Sawyer again did well to claim the ball from under the bar as Jack Defty challenged.

Sedgemore and Francis combined to give Nolan a fine chance but he shot wide. Gloucester had penalty appeals waved away as Chapman clashed with Morford.

Gloucester came out determined to show more purpose than in the first half. The first action saw Reid try a shot from 35 yards which was deflected for a corner, a good run on the right by Gloucester's Matt Rose saw Pitcher just crowded out before he was able to get in a shot.

Another promising move by Gloucester was stopped by West.

For Lynn Jack Defty won a header to find Matt Nolan to give Fisk a run at goal but he was stopped by a good tackle by Richards.

Gloucester replied with a good cross from Smith to Pitcher who put a header just wide of the post. Minutes later Gloucester's Matt Rose found his way into the ref's notebook for a foul on Frew.

Pitcher did well to beat two defenders and turn and cross for Gloucester's Alex Sykes to waste a good chance by shooting over.

The Tigers took the lead after 66 minutes after Howie had palmed the ball onto a post from a header by Webb, SYKES was on hand to tap in from three yards for his 17th goal of the season, this after a good build up on the Gloucester right.

The Tigers continued to press and Chapman did well to cut out a searching ball from Webb to Smith. Sykes then tried a volley from 20 yards, but this time Howie was equal to the effort. A long punch from Gloucester's goalkeeper Sawyer saw Smith get in a header which drifted wide.

Gloucester were still pressing and another good run from Rose who played the ball in for Morford to bring a good save from Howie. Lynn replied with Crane sending a powerful header just over from a corner taken by Francis.

On 75 minutes Lynn made their first substitution, Turner replacing Jack Defty. A deep free-kick taken by Walsh was well claimed by Howie. On 80 minutes Lynn equalised with Nolan netting with a low shot from 12 yards after a cross from Turner had rebounded to the striker from a defender with Sawyer wrong footed.

Francis, for Lynn, broke down the left and fired in a fierce drive which rebounded to Frew who miscued his effort which went to Francis who crossed for Sawyer to punch away with Frew finally shooting wide.

Both sides now made substitutions with Gloucester bringing on Bevan for Webb and Lynn replacing Francis with Melton. The substitute almost had a chance but appeared to be pulled back in the box by Frew but despite Gloucester appeals nothing was given.

Sedgemore then found his way into the book following a foul on Morford. From the free-kick Sykes sent a dipping shot inches over the bar. Lynn still seeking the winning goal saw Fisk finding Frew with a through ball who beat keeper Sawyer to the touch but Richards raced back to clear.

Gloucester in turn saw Smith get in a good diagonal cross from which Richards rose to power in a header again bringing a good save from Howie. Just before the end Gloucester's Neil Mustoe was cautioned for a foul on Turner some 30 yards from goal.

Lynn skipper Greg Crane drove a pile-driver straight into the midriff of Sawyer.

t King's Lynn: Howie, West, Chapman, Bains, Crane, Fisk, Frew, Sedgemore, Jack Defty, Nolan, Francis. Subs: Bloomfield, Turner, Melton, Charlie Defty, Murray.

t Gloucester: Sawyer, Walsh, Sykes, Mustoe, Reid, Richards, Rose, Webb, Pitcher, Morforb, Smith. Subs: Harris, Sysum, Thomas, Allard, Bevan.

t Referee: Marvyn Amfhlett from Kidderminster.

t Attendance: 660.