Marine 0, King's Lynn 1: Lynn player/boss Carl Heggs is eyeing a timely FA Trophy cash injection after booking a place in tomorrow's second qualifying round draw.

Marine 0, King's Lynn 1

Lynn player/boss Carl Heggs is eyeing a timely FA Trophy cash injection after booking a place in tomorrow's second qualifying round draw.

Heggs' side are now just two wins from a potential money-spinning tie against a high-profile Conference Premier side following Carl Palmer's second-half winner.

The Unibond Premier Division outfit have less than six weeks to meet a �65,000 tax bill - but Lynn's Merseyside victory provided some welcome financial relief.

“I'd love a home tie in the next round to try and keep this going,” said Heggs. “Imagine if we could get an Oxford or a Luton at home in front of 3,000 and what that would mean for the club.

“I can't get involved in the financial side of what is happening here. Managing King's Lynn has taken over my life and I have a plan that I will carry out to the best of my ability.

“Anything beyond that is not my concern. If the football club does hit a sticky patch in the future and something happens then I will deal with that as and when, but I'm not crossing bridges that I don't have to cross right now.

“It's my job to keep everything away from my players. All they need to worry about is going out on the pitch and being the best player they can be.”

Heggs admits Lynn's recent progress capped by Marine cup success has surprised even him.

“The transformation over the last four or five weeks is just phenomenal,” he said. “I think I have a group of footballers where no-one stands out, no-one is on big money but they are desperate to play and I am confident I can throw anyone from my squad into the side.

“They have a work ethic and a desire to play well because if they don't they could be leaving the football club. The lads have a laugh between themselves saying, 'it's you this week going out the door,' but they know if they don't put a shift in that it could be.

“Players outside my club may think twice about coming and playing for a manager who will get rid after a couple of bad games but to be honest those are the players we don't need. We're not the finished article and we still need to strengthen in one or two areas but I'm pleased with the progress.”

Heggs' philosophy was tested again with Leicester loanee Lathanial Rowe-Turner ruled out of the cup tie after Foxes' officials failed to obtain FA clearance.

The teenage centre-back will be available for the next round on October 31 under the terms of his fresh month-long loan extension.

“I didn't really find out for sure until the last minute which was quite frustrating,” said Heggs. “Leicester hadn't done their side of the paperwork but it happens. We all make mistakes but with travelling overnight at least we had time to sit down and prepare the back four.

“The whole game was tough and, looking at their previous results, I knew what to expect. Without being too disrespectful to them, I could only see us winning. It was a bit frantic at times but it goes to show how far we've come.

“We limited them to some long-range shots and Danny (Gay) has come out for some great crosses in the last 10, 15 minutes which really took the pressure off. He looks like a proper goalkeeper now and is the best in the league for me.”

Heggs again started up front before making way for Peterborough loanee Kwesi Appiah after what he conceded was the least effective playing cameo of his short tenure.

“I got to the hour mark and I was blowing out a big bonfire,” he said. “I'm lucky to have Adam (Sinclair) alongside me but it is stressful doing the managing and playing and motivating everybody on a daily basis.

“I'm not saying it has caught up with me but I did feel 39 in this game. I'm desperate for a big centre forward. I've got one or two in mind but I'll have to wait a little while longer. I need a younger version of me who wants to be here and wants to be a success.”

Marine: Dittmer, Gallacher, Shaw, Davies, Jackson, Hussey, Brown (Johnson 66), Fowler (Parle 78), Rushton, Crewe, Burton (Cumiskey 70). Subs (not used): McMahon, Bell.

Booking: Davies.

King's Lynn Gay, Webb, Spencer, Palmer, Boyce, Aisien, Story, Shaw, Heggs (Appiah 60), Robinson (Smith 90), Muirhead. Subs (not used): Rose, McAnally.

Goal: Palmer (59).

Referee: P Brabin (Lancs).

Attendance: 240.