King's Lynn 2, Billlericay 2

King's Lynn 2, Billlericay 2

Lynn were seeking to make progress to the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy when, for the second time in the competition this season, they came up against Ryman Premier Division opposition in the form of Billericay Town having disposed of Sudbury after a replay in the previous round.

It would be the fourth time the two clubs have been in direct opposition - the three previous encounters all having been at New Lodge Billericay and all in different competitions.

Lynn elected to attack the Tennyson Road end on an afternoon perfect for football. Turner won a good header from a deep cross by Chapman but Blewitt was quickly in with the interception. On six minutes Billeracy had the first clear chance of the game when from a poor clearance Siemanshia headed through to Boot who wasted a great chance by shooting well wide.

Lynn, who had been slow to get into their stride, took the lead on 20 minutes when from a move started by Chapman on their left flank Francis skilfully beat his man and fired hard and low across goal where the ball was blocked out to BLOOMFIELD who shot low into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

A break by Billericay's Flack having been found by Boot caused Warren to concede a corner from which Boot at the back post caused Camm to put over his own bar for yet another dangerous flag kick from the ubiquitous Boot fired into the side netting. Billericay forced two further corners but both were comfortably dealt with by the Lynn defence.

When Mulryne was robbed by Flack, Boot was only denied from equalising by an offside flag. When Bloomfield was fouled by Abbott the free kick taken by Mulryne was played in to Turner and his quick shot on the turn flashed narrowly wide. As the half drew to a close Mulryne's diagonal ball almost found Chapman but Siemanshia was alive to the danger and hooked the ball away. Overall Lynn were just about worth their goal lead at the interval.

Half time King's Lynn 1, Billericay 0.

Bill came out to apply early second half pressure and soon forced a fruitless corner on 55 minutes. Lynn made their first substitute with Jack Defty coming on to replace John Turner. On the hour, Warren caught in possession, gave away a free-kick on the edge of the area for which he was cautioned. The kick taken by Billericay top scorer Flack, was driven into the wall and cleared for a corner from which Lynn were lucky not to concede a penalty for handball as referee Miller waved away vehement claims from the visitors.

When Dormer played a long defence-splitting ball through to Boot he was quickly away down the right wing and his driven cross was easily netted by FLACK for a deserved leveller. A long punt out at defence saw Abbott meet Howie for a chase for the ball way out by the corner flag but the goal keeper recovered and the danger passed. On 72 minutes Lynn made their second substitution with Nolan replacing Francis.

Lynn almost conceded an own goal when Crane turned the ball past Howie who just got his fingertips to the ball to keep it out as it rolled along the goal-line. With Billericay pressing for a winner Crane blocked a shot from Flack for a corner from which he cleared at full stretch. Lynn made their final substitution on 80 minutes with Charlie Defty coming on to replace Bloomfield. Billericay were unlucky not to take the lead from a fast break and cross down the right by Siemanshia as a good dummy by Flack gave Dormer a great shooting chance, his hard low drive hit a post to rebound into the arms of a thankful Howie. Lynn then forced a corner delivered deep by Mulryne to the back post where Frew headed across goal but Crane was beaten to the ball by Semanshia by another corner which was wasted when Mulryne put the ball behind.

The visitors responded with a break by the full break who played a ball across the box for Boot to shoot over when well placed. When Lynn won a free-kick which was taken by Mulryne, Jack Defty's powerful header was brilliantly saved by the visitor's keeper McMahon. Nolan almost broke through but was denied by a good tackle by Siemanshia to concede a corner from which Crane appeared to be pushed in the area but again referee Miller would have none of it.

In the 88th minute Joe FLACK forced the ball home from close range for what appeared to be a winner for the visitors but Lynn refused to be denied and deep into stoppage time a superb cross from Michael Frew saw Jack DEFTY rise to plant the ball to the back of the Billericay net which, on reflection, was a deserved result from an all-action cup-tie.

Both sides look to go into Monday's draw and will replay at Billericay on Tuesday at 7.45pm

Full time: King's Lynn 2 Billericay Town 2

t King's Lynn: Howie, West, Chapman, Warren, Crane, Camm, Frew, Mulryne, Turner, Bloomfield, Francis. Subs: Jack Defty, Nolan, Charlie Defty, Fisk, Murray.

t Billericay: McMahon, Siemanshia, Kerrigan, Blewitt, Heffer, Dormer, Abbott, Hunter, Flack, Boot, Lay.

t Subs: Burbridge, Wood-Garness, Maxwell, Pegg, Buckfield.

t Referee C J Miller from Kettering. Attendance 927.