King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins accused the club's under performing players of “short changing the fans” after Saturday's heavy Southern League, Premier Division defeat to Merthyr Tydfil.

King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins accused the club's under performing players of “short changing the fans” after Saturday's heavy Southern League, Premier Division defeat to Merthyr Tydfil.

Bobbins had strong words for Tommy Taylor's squad following the 3-0 reverse to the mid table Welsh outfit.

Lynn had to rely on stumbles from fellow playoff rivals Bath City and Chippenham to stay firmly in contention for second spot and prized home advantage during end-of-season playoffs.

“It was a dreadful performance and I felt they let themselves down,” said Bobbins. “Some of the lads tried very, very hard but I felt the attitude was lacking and we have too much quality within the club to accept that type of display.

“I told them its imperative we finish second. We'd played teams like Merthyr off the park in recent weeks, they were a very average side who came here and got in our faces.

“We didn't look like a team. It was as if getting into the playoffs was enough. Tommy now has to earn his corn and get them re-focussed because the club has a great chance to achieve something it has never done before this season.”

Bobbins is confident of a return to winning ways over Easter - with the backing of Lynn's loyal fanbase.

“Part of my frustration on Saturday was because our supporters deserve better,” he said. “What they give us week in, week out is unbelievable - not just in time and support but money. I just hope the supporters don't lose faith. In the last couple of matches they've been magnificent. “Salisbury was phenomenal - the place was jumping and we'd like to see that every game.

“We owe Banbury one because they've turned us over twice this season. Grantham is our local derby and we'll have a decent travelling support. They'll be up for it and I expect us to be.”

Linnets boss Taylor yesterday allayed fears centre back Grant Cooper had suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problem that forced him out of last week's Salisbury defeat.

Cooper was withdrawn just past the hour mark against Merthyr on Saturday, but Taylor confirmed the influential defender was sacrificed for tactical reasons.

“I wanted to try and stretch them and knew they would look to hit us on the quick counter,” he said. We didn't want Coops' hamstring going again if he got involved in a sprint.

“They end up scoring twice in a minute late on and that killed us. We had what I thought was a good goal disallowed at 1-0. If that goes in it's a different game, but the longer it went you could sense it was one of those days when we weren't going to score.

“Forget talk of hangovers. We just need to put the last two games behind us. Some of the lads can't play two and three matches in a short spell and with Easter coming up that is something we'll have to look at.”

Taylor will monitor the fitness of Matt O'Halloran (leg), Sam McMahon (knee) and Arron Benstead (back) at training this week.