Paddy Davitt Title-chasing King's Lynn bid to avoid a potential Southern League, Premier Division banana skin today at The Walks against Hitchin.Lynn crushed leaders Team Bath 4-0 in midweek to close within a point of the table-toppers but the relegation-haunted Canaries head to Norfolk scrapping for survival.

Paddy Davitt

Title-chasing King's Lynn bid to avoid a potential Southern League, Premier Division banana skin today at The Walks against Hitchin.

Lynn crushed leaders Team Bath 4-0 in midweek to close within a point of the table-toppers but the relegation-haunted Canaries head to Norfolk scrapping for survival.

Linnets' chief Keith Webb insists the improving visitors are more than capable of spoiling the party in front of another expected bumper four figure crowd.

Lynn emerged unbeaten from consecutive promotion tussles against Chippenham, Halesowen and the Students - but Webb wants no let- up.

“This will be tougher than the three previous games,” he said. “I honestly believe that and it's something we'll be stressing to the players.

“They have a responsibility to the club and the fans to make sure we are switched on and fully concentrated. Right now I'd take a scrappy 1-0 win.

“Whatever we have to do to get a result - whether we score in the first or the last minute. Chippenham only beat them with a late goal in midweek and they've won at Bashley this month, which is no mean feat.”

Webb shuffled his pack to plot Team Bath's downfall and Lynn's boss is promising fresh changes.

“I will do what I feel is right with the team to get a result,” he said. “It's not really a case of having selection dilemmas. This is a different game with totally different circumstances. We've been playing 4-4-2 at home and I think we'll go back to that again. We need to hit them early doors and start on the front foot.”

Experienced midfielder Shaun Carey (leg) is definitely ruled out. Mark Camm (back) has been passed fit while former Norwich academy recruit Andrew Fisk returns to the squad. Midfielder Steve Melton (calf) is set to feature in the club's league cup semi-final tie against Hillingdon Borough next week. Webb also confirmed injured defensive duo Craig Fleming (ankle) and Mark Warren (knee) had both undergone surgery.

“Wazza is happy with how it went and he can't wait to get started again,” said Webb. “We'll assess Steve with a view to being involved in the cup game. Shaun has a slight strain on his right leg. It's not as bad as the one he had on the opposite leg so we're hopeful he'll be back with us next week. Cammy has told me he is quite confident. He's a strong little fella who obviously wants to continue playing, like anyone would. If he didn't feel right I know he'd tell me.”

Lynn's boss stressed his side's Team Bath mauling is now in the past - but Webb is keen to prolong the feelgood factor.

“I was at the ground the other day and everybody is buzzing,” he said. “People are telling me it is buoyant in the town and everybody is talking about the club.

“The crowd has been superb for us lately. They can see we've set out standards and we need to maintain those. What's got us into this situation now needs to take on us again.”

Hitchin boss and former Linnet Darran Hay remains upbeat after his strugglers' narrow midweek reverse at Chippenham.

“We should have come home with a point,” he said. “But the past few games have given us a new lease of life and the lads' confidence has grown enormously. We know we've got a couple of really tough games to come, but we will go to Kings Lynn with a positive frame of mind.”

King's Lynn (from): Howie, West, Chapman, Hoyte, Crane, Bains, C Defty, Camm, Frew, Turner, Sedgemore, Fisk, J Defty, Bloomfield, Nolan, Francis, Murray.

t Children aged 15 and under will be admitted today for £1 when accompanied by an adult paying the full admission price.