Southern League Premier Division: Merthyr Tydfil 0, King's Lynn 1MATT NOLAN was the matchwinner again for King's Lynn with the only goal in their away victory over Merthyr Tydfil in the Southern League Premier Division.

Southern League Premier Division: Merthyr Tydfil 0, King's Lynn 1

MATT NOLAN was the matchwinner again for King's Lynn with the only goal in their away victory over Merthyr Tydfil in the Southern League Premier Division.

The Linnets travelled to South Wales hoping to maintain fourth place in the table.

The injured Matt O'Halloran was the only absentee from their first-choice line-up, Adam Jones replacing him.

Seventh-laced Merthyr Tydfil showed two changes, O'Sullivan coming in at No 9 and on loan Welsh Under-21 international Worgan taking over between the posts because of injury to their regular 'keeper.

A first minute throw-in by Smith saw a Defty effort blocked by his own forwards on its way into the Merthyr goal.

But a quick reply from the home side had to be cleared by Jones from inside the Lynn penalty area. Smith then forced the game's first corner but Defty headed away from the goal.

Another Lynn corner was stopped by the keeper as they pressurised the home goal. A hectic scramble ensued in the home goal area, but Lynn just could not force the ball home.

A third corner followed, but again Lynn could not make it count, then Defty was just too high with another effort after 15 minutes. A poor goal-kick by Benstead gave Merthyr a chance a couple of minutes later, but the Lynn 'keeper quickly redeemed himself with a fine stop.

Nolan fed a pass through to Bloomfield, but the striker was slow to react and the ball was cleared.

Another corner to Lynn was scrambled away by the overworked Merthyr defence but, after 30 minutes, an error by a defender left Matt NOLAN clear and he blasted Lynn in front from 18 yards.

Five minutes later, Merthyr should have levelled, but Williams completely missed his kick from five yards in front of goal.

It was a very good first half from Lynn, but they had only the one goal to show for their dominance.

Half-time - Merthyr Tydfil 0, King's Lynn 1.

Bloomfield had a great chance to increase Lynn's lead in the second minute of the second half, but completely missed the goal from 10 yards.

A couple of minutes later, Merthyr nearly made him pay when Camm had to kick clear from in front of the Lynn goal.

West then had his goalbound shot blocked by a diving defender, but back came Merthyr to force Benstead into a good stop.

The home side were now putting the pressure on Lynn and a couple of free-kicks from just outside the area caused even more problems before both were cleared with difficulty.

The home side were becoming a little too over- enthusiastic with their tackles and received two yellow cards in quick succession.

But it was Benstead again who had to save well from a home corner after 58 minutes.

Home 'keeper Morgan had to save smartly from Nolan and then Bloomfield, but back came Merthyr to make Camm clear smartly.

Nolan was then replaced by Heath-Preston.

Cooper headed another home shot behind for a corner as Merthyr exerted even more pressure in the final few minutes, and it was Benstead again who saved well to ensure the points for Linnets.

t Merthyr Tydfil: Worgan, S Williams, Robison, Needs, Eckhardt, Griffiths, Fowler, D Williams, O'Sullivan, Moses, Dorrian. Subs: Jones, Loss, Ettcombe, Welsh, Stynes.

t King's Lynn: Benstead, West, Smith, McMahon, Cooper, Jones, Camm, Anselin, Defty, Bloomfield, Nolan. Subs: Peters, Heath-Preston, Hammon, Harvey, Fell.