King’s Lynn Town have taken over at the top of the Southern League after another convincing – and impressive – victory at The Walks.

Two goals by Leon Mettam, one from Michael Gash and a penalty by Michael Clunan clinched victory over a Stratford side who got on the scoresheet with a second-half penalty, thanks in large part to a generous piece of officiating.

Morning leaders Banbury were beaten 4-3 at home by Frome Town, while Kettering lost 3-1 at Weymouth – leaving Lynn clear by a point.

Lynn could have been ahead after just 15 seconds after Ryan Hawkins made a driving run into the area on the left but his shot was parried by keeper Louis Connor. The ball came out to Clunan who drove his shot wide when he should at least have hit the target.

On six minutes Cameron Norman’s cross from the right was headed over by Craig Parker when he really should have scored as well.

Ryan Fryatt’s header from another quality Clunan free-kick rattled the goal stanchion, but on 26 minutes they made the breakthrough. Clunan delivered again from the right after Ryan Hawkins had been fouled and Gash headed home.

It was 2-0 on 37 minutes after Norman was upended in the area, Clunan blasting the ball home, and in time added on at the end of the half, Mettam swept home a low cross by Norman.

Lynn were, as the scoreline suggests, in complete control, although the visitors were given something of a lifeline on 68 minutes when Jazz Luckie appeared to fall over Fryatt’s leg in the area. Referee Burridge was one of the few people who thought it was a penalty, which sub Ben Stephens converted.

The three-goal margin was restored 10 minutes later when man of the match Gash worked his way into the area on the left, saw Mettam waiting and put the ball into his path – the rest was bread and butter as Mettam got his second of the game.

Lynn: Street, Norman, Blake-Tracy, Fryatt, Ward, Jarvis, Clunan, Parker (Gaughran 79), Gash (Gillies 80), Mettam (Siddons 80), Hawkins. Subs not used: Hilliard, Whayman.

Stratford: Connor, Summerfield, Thomas, Francis, Gallinagh, Recci, Francis (Clark 53), Growcott, Fry, Taylor (Marsden 63), Luckie, Ahenkorah (Stephens 63). Subs: Evans, Marsden, Hancocks, Stephens, Clark. Booked: Francis.

Attendance: 659