King's Lynn 1, Redditch 1

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn striker Julian Joachim's opening goal for the club was cancelled out by Redditch skipper Lee Downes' longe range howitzer in tonight's Blue Square North clash at The Walks.

Joachim marked his return to the starting line up with a classy near post header to glance home Michael Frew's vicious inswinging free kick on 41 minutes.

But Redditch deservedly drew level after pinning back the hosts on the restart courtesy of Downes' missile that flew past the stranded Scott Howie from 25 yards.

Lynn tried to up the ante in the closing stages but Webb's men were forced to settle for a second consecutive 1-1 draw after being pegged by Burscough on the opening day.

Joachim was the only change to the Linnets' starting line up - Jack Defty passed fit after limping out of the club's Conference weekend bow with a back spasm.

Danny Lewis dived bravely to thwart Joachim inside the opening seconds after the pacy striker latched onto Defty's towering header.

Frew's back post header skimmed wide from Joe Francis' probing centre.

Downes cracked well off target from the edge of the box from the visitors' first foray into enemy territory.

Lewis bailed out fellow defender Liam Murray after his blind back pass threatened to embarrass the Redditch keeper.

Simon Weaver needed treatment to a nasty gash above his right eye in a meaty aerial duel with Owen Story. The poleaxed Redditch striker took no further part in the match before Weaver was eventually withdrawn himself after running repairs.

Joachim latched onto Lee Ayres' weak back pass to power into the visiting box but dragged his right footer wide.

Referee Hair waved away furious home penalty appeals on 16 minutes when Francis' header clearly struck Simon Hollis from Joachim's flick. Lynn's management duo Webb and Lee Glover led the protests from the edge of the home technical area.

Jack Defty's cute reverse ball teed up Francis on the edge of the six yard box but last season's top scorer clipped Lewis' legs from close range.

Ben Chapman cleared under pressure after Scott Howie was deceived by Murray's deep cross.

Jack Defty diverted Francis' cross shot home midway through the half but Lynn celebrations were cut short by the assistant's offside flag.

Howie pouched Murray's drilled strike as Redditch continued to carry a sporadic threat on counter in the closing stages.

Weaver left the field for the final time with blood pouring from a gaping wound on his forehead - Charlie Defty introduced a minute before the break.

Joachim brilliantly glanced home Frew's dipping free kick before being mobbed by his delighted team mates.

The unmarked Aman Verma planted a free header at Howie as the visitors probed for an instant reply.

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

Greg Crane's well timed block cleared mounting danger as Redditch signalled their attacking intent on the restart. Lewis denied Francis with a low one handed push around his post as Lynn attempted to lift the early second half siege.

Liam Daly threw himself bravely in front of Joachim's close range pile driver from Francis' knock back before Lewis punched clear as Frew drilled into a crowd scene.

Downes fired Redditch level with a stunning 25-yard strike that fizzed past the stationary Howie on 67 minutes.

Danny Bloomfield forced Lewis into a scrambling save seconds after his second half arrival for Jack Defty.

Daly's emergency action headed Frew's teasing cross away from underneath his crossbar.

Downes tried his luck with another speculative effort that lacked accuracy. Crane reacted angrily to Richard Softley's crude challenge in stoppage time but a swift yellow card for the Redditch substitute defused a potential late flashpoint.

Frew's acrobatic lob landed just over from 20 yards - the grounded Linnet beating the turf in frustration.

t Result: King's Lynn 1, Redditch 1

t King's Lynn: Howie, Weaver (C Defty 44), Chapman, Peters, Crane, Camm, Frew, Sedgemore (Bridgwater 71), J Defty (Bloomfield 79), Joachim, Francis. Subs (not used): Melton, Murray.

Booking: J Defty

Goal: Joachim (41)

t Redditch: Lewis, Hollis (Softley 71), Edwards, Ayres, Daly, Murray, Murphy (Johnson 60), Downes, Verma, Story (Hanna 12), Rickards. Subs (not used): Heggs, Blake.

Booking: Softley

Goal: Downes (67)

t Referee: N Hair (Peterborough)

t Attendance: 1,168