Mark Hearle Farsley Celtic 1, King's Lynn 1: King's Lynn were robbed of a deserved victory by a controversial late equaliser at the Throstle's Nest on Saturday. It seemed that Andrew Fisk's first goal of the season, 15 minutes from time, would be giving the Linnets their first league victory since early November.

Mark Hearle

Farsley Celtic 1, King's Lynn 1

King's Lynn were robbed of a deserved victory by a controversial late equaliser at the Throstle's Nest on Saturday.

It seemed that Andrew Fisk's first goal of the season, 15 minutes from time, would be giving the Linnets their first league victory since early November.

However, late substitute Scott Broughton scrambled home an equaliser in the second minute of added time after it appeared that Lynn keeper Rob Murray had the ball kicked from his hands by an opponent. Match official Mr Mattocks waved aside strong Linnets' protests and the goal stood.

“I am very reluctant to start criticising match officials, but today he (Mattocks) has got two big decisions wrong and that has clearly affected the final outcome,” said an angry Keith Webb.

“In the first half it was clear to see that Gavin (Hurren) was pushed over in the area and at the end Rob has had the ball blasted out of his hands by an opponent.

“At times you do wonder what more you have to do to win games. I feel sorry for the boys today because they have given it everything out there for me and put in a good, honest 90 minute shift.

“What myself and Lee (Glover) must do now is to keep the lads positive because at the moment they are very disappointed with how things have ended here today.”

Webb's team selection was hindered by groin injuries for Scott's Howie and Mitchell. With Jack Defty serving a one-match suspension and Mark Peters out of contention with an ankle injury the Linnets drafted in youngsters Ross Kelly and Dominic Dwyer for bench duties.

Webb handed Friday's signing Hurren a debut at the centre of Lynn's midfield.

The opening exchanges were even. Farsley's Jake Speight had a half chance which Luke Graham hooked to safety and Graham then turned provider for Michael Frew whose lofted shot was punched to safety by Villagers' keeper Curtis Aspden.

Hurren, who enjoyed a promising debut after a quiet start, saw a shot blocked with the ball falling to Julian Joachim, who was denied a shooting opportunity by home skipper Amjad Iqbal.

At the other end Murray, making his first appearance of the season, saved at the second attempt as Stephen Downes had a pot shot from 20 yards. Frew spurned a golden opportunity for Lynn as his control let him down after Graham's long-range pass. Hurren was blatantly pushed by Iqbal in the area as he chased a loose ball but to his and the visitors' amazement Mr Mattocks saw nothing wrong and waved the play to continue.

The Linnets were now playing some decent possession football with Mark Camm forcing Aspden into action following the restart. From the resulting corner Graham hit the post from close in and with Farsley unable to clear their lines Hurren saw his effort cleared from the line by Iqbal.

Former Middlesbrough forward Andy Campbell shot straight at Murray and Lee Tuck forced the young stopper into a diving save.

Tuck did beat Murray minutes later but his effort was ruled out for an offside offence.

The Linnets got their goal with 13 minutes remaining. Graham's long pass was misjudged by Jamie Price which allowed Joachim to shoot at Aspden. The keeper could only block his shot with the ball falling to Frew. Aspden again somehow saved but he was unable to do anything about Fisk's precise strike low into the right hand corner.

With Lynn looking odds on for a three-point haul, Farsley won a late corner which saw them push keeper Aspden upfield into the danger area.

The corner kick resulted in a sea of bodies converging on Murray who appeared to take the ball. However, the ball became loose and fell to Broughton who smashed it in after only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes.

t Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Price, Serrant (Broughton 84), Iqbal, Knowles, Bentham, Downes, Krief, Campbell, Speight (Penford 90), Tuck. Unused subs: Saynor, Jackson, Driscoll. Booking: Speight.

t King's Lynn: Murray, Graham, Chapman, Thomas, Crane, Camm, Fisk, Hurren, Frew, Joachim, Smith (Francis 68). Unused subs: Weaver, Kelly, Dwyer, Howie. Booking: Thomas.

t Referee: K Mattocks.

t Attendance: 309.

t Next match: Saturday - Blyth Spartans at home.