Paddy Davitt King's Lynn midfielder Adam Smith is confident the club can launch a Blue Square North play-off push. Keith Webb's men looked set to move within three points of the play-off zone at The Walks last time out until Stafford hit back with a late penalty equaliser.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn midfielder Adam Smith is confident the club can launch a Blue Square North play-off push.

Keith Webb's men looked set to move within three points of the play-off zone at The Walks last time out until Stafford hit back with a late penalty equaliser. Now ex-Norwich City academy graduate Smith believes the crucial festive period can shape the Linnets' season.

"Games come thick and fast at this time of year so it's possible to get on a run," said the 23-year-old. "We're in a position in the table where I think we should look up and not at the teams around us or below us. It takes time to gel and you are seeing that now with the likes of Julian (Joachim), Simon (Weaver) and the two loan signings."

The influential Smith was forced to bide his time before a second half introduction against Stafford after picking up a recent niggling injury.

"It was a strange one," he said. "A guy stood on the back of my heel at Hucknall and I couldn't shake it off. I came off the bench at the weekend and that is never easy because you have to try and get the pace of the game. I think at half time 1-0 down we would have taken a point but the way we played there was definitely mixed feelings at the end. It seemed one of those games when everyone just grew in confidence."

Smith admits he is still striving to recapture the form which earned him a pro deal at Coca-Cola League One Peterborough in his previous Walks' stint.

"I'm happy-ish with my form," he said. "I've had a few bad games but also a few where I have played well and got a grip of the game. Hopefully I can play my part and make a difference over the second half of the season. I've gone from not playing pretty much over the last two years to week in, week out. It does take time."

Smith had formed a promising central midfield partnership alongside old foe Scott Mitchell prior to his recent injury lay-off.

"We were actually together at Posh for a brief spell and we get on really well," said Smith. "I actually knew him before that because he used to play for Ipswich and I was at Norwich. Then were we direct rivals and we had a few battles.

"We didn't really get on but when he arrived at Peterborough we shook hands and put that behind us. Then about a week after I came back to Lynn he arrived. We're now good mates on and off the pitch. I think our games compliment each other. He is bigger and more powerful so he can make those strong runs into the box whereas my game is more about sitting, trying to get on the ball and get the side ticking."

Smith's second half Stafford salvo could earn him a starting recall for this weekend's long haul to Workington - the first of a gruelling double header with Lynn travelling to Cumbria in the FA Trophy the following weekend.

"It is tough and maybe people don't realise how much it takes out of you," he said. "We probably have the furthest to travel in our league."

Read Mark Hearle's latest exclusive behind-the-scenes column today only on www.edp24.co.uk/kingslynn