Linnets miss the chance to go top after Boxing Day draw

King’s Lynn Town missed a golden opportunity to go top of the National League North table after twice being pegged back by Needham Market at The Walks.On an afternoon when previous leaders Curzon Ashton were beaten for the second game in succession, Finlay Barnes scored twice in front of a four-figure Boxing Day crowd.Barnes’ first-half goal was cancelled out by Seph Chambers eight minutes into the second half before the same player restored Lynn’s advantage with 26 minutes remaining.But a late penalty award saw Josh Ingram equalise from the spot and Lynn were forced to settle for just a point as they dropped a place to third in the table.Lakeland used the same starting line-up and bench that secured a point in the 1-1 draw at Chester last Saturday.Lynn struggled to find their rhythm in the opening few minutes before Josh McCammon was denied by the body of Marcus Garnham and Josh Hmami sidefooted the loose ball wide.The opening goal arrived a minute later and it was all down to the hard work of McCammon. The midfielder charged down Garnham’s clearance and did well to keep the ball alive on the edge of the box before crossing for Finlay Barners to fire the home side ahead. Leading scorer Jonny Margetts was inches away from doubling Lynn’s lead after Freddie Sass delivered a deep centre across the box and the striker’s header flashed across the face of goal.The Linnets remained well on top and Margetts thundered an effort wide of the target from a tight angle.Needham had their best spell of the game towards the end of the half although Lynn remained largely in control as the mist lingered around the ground. The visitors started the second half much brighter and were back on level eight minutes after the restart as Chambers poked home Tevan Allen’s corner.Lynn were indebted to Pat Boyes for two saves in quick succession while Ben Hunter was just wide from long-range as the Marketmen began to sense the tide was turning in their favour. The hosts responded by making a double substitution with Dylan Crowe and Ross Crane replacing Sass and Margetts respectively.Within a minute they were back in front as a simple from Cody Johnson was converted by Barnes on his left-foot. Two almost became three as Kian Ronan crossed from the right and Greg Taylor hit the ball flush on the volley before whistling wide of Garnham’s left post.Needham were awarded a penalty 11 minutes from time after visiting substitute Jamie McGrath was bundled over in the box and Ingram held his nerve to level the scores from the spot.Lynn almost won it three minutes from time as Tom Wilson’s header from Tommy Hughes’ ball in was brilliantly kept out by Garnham to his left.King’s Lynn Town: Boyes, Ronan, Sass (Crowe 63), McFadden, Wilson, Taylor (Hughes 83), Johnson, Hmami, McCammon (Omotayo 90), Barnes, Margetts (Crane 63). Subs not used: CoulsonNeedham Market: Garnham, Dye, Hammond, Morphew, Ingram (Lay 80), Allen (Lambe 71), Hunter (McGraph 76), Tomlinson, Watkiss (Mills 80), Cross (Chambers 46).Attendance: 1,213