Martin Davis KING's Lynn were thoroughly outplayed from start to finish in this game. For their penultimate league game of the season, King's Lynn were against yet another first-time visitor to the Walks in Derbyshire side Alfreton, who themselves are pushing hard for a play-off place.

Martin Davis

KING's Lynn were thoroughly outplayed from start to finish in this game.

For their penultimate league game of the season, King's Lynn were against yet another first-time visitor to the Walks in Derbyshire side Alfreton, who themselves are pushing hard for a play-off place.

They have hit a rich vein of form which has seen them rise to the top of the league form table and establish themselves in the fifth position in the actual table.

And on those statistics the Linnets faced a considerable task this afternoon.

Manager Keith Webb brought in Greg Crane, who had an impressive game for the reserves on Tuesday for his first first- team start since the match at Tamworth on January 27.

Scott Mitchell was left out along with Kris Renton. Both were given a place on the bench, Julian Joachim coming in to start in place of the Norwich City youngster. Dominic Dwyer and Andrew Fisk completed the subs' line-up.

King's Lynn kicked off the Tennyson Road end against their high-flying opponents. The visitors had the first attempt at goal when their skipper Kyle McFadzean fired in a shot from distance but Howie made an easy catch.

A break on the right wing by Clayton saw him reach the by-line but his cross was poor. Another ball, however, played in from the right wing caused more danger when Clayton laid the ball off for Curtis to fire in a low drive but his effort was blocked by a Lynn defender.

A free-kick on the edge of the box caused Lynn danger when Ross fired in a shot across the face of the goal as Alfreton continued to make the early running. They next forced a corner but Howell put in a poor kick which was easily dealt with by the Lynn defenders.

Moments later there was a second corner to the visitors as they continued to press on their right flank, this time from Howell's flag kick centre-half Butler saw his effort headed off the line by Camm. At the other end a Lynn attack ended with Jack Defty firing a tame effort at visiting keeper Dickinson. Another Lynn passing movement involving Defty, Johnson, Graham and Camm ended with the keeper holding a shot fired straight at him.

Alfreton returned to the attack and forced a corner conceded by Thomas, a deep kick to the back post where Howell rose to hit a post with his header, the ball broke out to McFADZEAN who drove it home hard and low from the edge of the box to give Alfreton the lead on the half-hour mark.

The visitors still continued to press and forced a fourth corner when Peters had to head a dangerous cross from the right, from the kick taken by Law centre-forward Clayton powered in a fine header which produced an equally brilliant save from Howie as he turned the ball over, this time the defence dealt easily with the flag-kick.

For Lynn a good run by Kelly, having received the ball from Jack Defty, showed promise but it was brought to a halt by Wilson who got back to make a good saving tackle. The visitors broke and were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out and from a Ross kick Jack Defty headed over his own bar.

Howell looked dangerous as he broke on the Alfreton left wing, beating two defenders before Camm made ground across to stop the dangerous move with a fine saving tackle. Peters was pulled up for a foul on Howell but Crane headed clear.

t Half-time: King's Lynn 0, Alfreton Town 1

After early pressure from Alfreton had been repelled Lynn forced two corners, the first taken by Kelly forced a defence to head away from a second corner, this time taken by Smith with keeper Dickinson punching his kick clear to Johnson on the edge of the box who fired in a shot which was blocked by McFadzean out to Johnson who this time tried a chip which was held by the keeper.

When Jack Defty was fouled by Butler on the edge of the area Smith curling free kick produced a fine diving save from Dickinson.

At the other end as Alfreton worked an opportunity in the Lynn area, Peters brought down Brown and ref Plowright had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Marples took the kick but Howie produced a great save as he dived to his left to turn the ball for a corner which was cleared by the Lynn defence.

On 57 minutes Lynn made a sub, bringing on Dwyer for Graham. After a mix-up in defence Camm was forced to bring down Clayton as he moved in on goal and for which he was justifiable cautioned.

From the free-kick some 20 yards out the impressive Ian Ross curled a fine shot past Howie, who stood no chance, to give the visitors a second goal after 63 minutes.

For Lynn, as they tried a comeback, Defty tried to play in Joachim but Wilson was quick to come across and put in a good tackle to stop the danger.

When Lynn were awarded a free kick on their left Kelly put in a hard, inswinging effort which beat the keeper but Alfreton skipper McFady was on hand to make a great save off the line.

Lynn were next awarded a penalty kick when Butler was adjudged to have pushed Defty, Camm taking the kick saw Dickinson dive to his right to make an easy save from the poorly-hit shot.

On 70 minutes Alfreton went further ahead when after receiving a pass from Calyton Curtsi hit a low shot through the unsighted Howe's legs.

The next misfortune to fall to Lynn was when Jack Defty was given a caution for a foul on Marples.

The Lynn centre forward then tried a shot on the turn but dragged his effort well wide.

Lynn now introduced Mitchell instead of Kelly on 75 minutes but it was still Alfreton on the attack and looking dangerous when a three-man right-wing move ended with Howell putting in a diving header just wide.

Lynn did manage to force two more conrners, and from the second Defty headed into the keeper's hands.

On 80 minutess Alfreton made it four when Ross headed the ball over a static Lynn defence for CLAYTON to race through and blast the ball past the helpless Howie.

t Result: King's Lynn 0, Alfreton Town 4

t King's Lynn: Howie, Graham, Smith, Peters, Thomas, Camm, Kelly, Johnson, Jack Defty, Joachim, Crane. Subs: Mitchell, Fisk, Renton, Dwyer, Murray.

t Alfreton Town: Dickinson, Marples, McFadzean, Butler, Wilson, Ross, Law, Brown, Clayton, Curtis, Howell. Subs: Cusworth, Flint, Hall, Hearn, Sutcliffe.

t Referee: D Plowright, Clipstone, Nottinghamshire.