Linnets make losing start under new management

King’s Lynn Town 1 Buxton 3

The Adam Lakeland era at King’s Lynn Town began with a defeat at home to Buxton at The Walks.

Cameron Hargreaves cancelled out Eoin McKeown’s opener for the Bucks midway through the second half before two goals in the final 15 minutes from Diego DeGirolamo and Scott Boden saw the visitors run out 3-1 winners.

Lynn’s new boss watched proceedings unfold from the director’s box while his assistant Sam Walker orchestrated affairs from the touchline.

The home side were quick out of the blocks and a delightful move involving Kian Ronan and Hargreaves almost resulted in the opener after six minutes as Ben Stephens saw his header saved by Max Dearnley.

Lynn almost paid the price for conceding possession in the 12th minute as Eoin McKeown swung in a cross from the left but Jordan Burrow blazed his effort over the woodwork.

Crowther put in a tremendous block to deny McKeown a shot on target shortly after as the hosts showed plenty of desire in the opening quarter.

There was a completely different feel about Lynn all over the pitch as half-chances fell the way of Jordan Ponticelli and Ben Stephens who both saw efforts blocked in the box.

Buxton were a lick of paint from taking the lead in the 32 minute after Zaine Francis-Angol switched feet before curling a shot against the crossbar.

The home side responded with a glorious chance of their own, created by a delightful chip by Josh Barrett which was headed over the bar by Stephens.

Lynn found themselves under pressure at the start of the second half and it eventually told ten minutes after the restart.

A corner from the right was headed back across the face of goal by Max Hunt and McKeown nipped in the space to head home at the far post.

Buxton showed just why they have the meanest defence in the league with Dearnley tipping Oke’s dipping long-range effort over his woodwork.

The Bucks were close to grabbing a second as Hunt’s rasping effort from outside the box came back off the underside of the woodwork.

Lynn needed a change of luck and it arrived midway through the second half as Hargreaves picked up a weak shot from Barrett to score from an acute angle.

Dearnley saved low from Barrett as Lynn, with their tails up, went in search of a winner.

But they were stopped in their tracks by an incredible strike by DeGirolamo who beat Paul Jones all ends up with a fantastic hit from 25 yards.

There was still time for visiting substitute Scott Boden to lob Jones from just outside the box to leave Lynn rooted in the bottom three of the National League North standings.

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Ronan, Coulson, McFadden, Crowther (Cybulski 80), Clifford, Oke (Spence 89), Hargreaves, Stephens (Smith 77), Barrett, Ponticelli.

Subs not used: Bartley, Sutcliffe.

Booked: Crowther, McFadden.

Scorer: Hargreaves 68.

Buxton: Dearnley, Granite, De Girolamo (Smart 85), Minihan, Burrow (Boden 89), Hull (Brown 79), McBurnie, McKeown, Francis-Angol, Weston, Hunt. Subs not used: McCourt, Wenayeto.

Booked: Hunt.

Scorers: McKeown 55, De Girolamo 76. Boden 90+1.

Attendance: 910.

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