King’s Lynn Town manager James Rowe pulled no punches after seeing his side pegged back for the second successive away game in the National League North.
Morgan Williams fired the Linnets in front with another impressive free-kick in the first half, only for Marine to level matters through a Tom Dickens own goal late in the game.
Rowe cut a frustrated figure with the match officials after seeing two more points slip from his side’s grasp on Merseyside.
Speaking afterwards, Rowe was adamant his side should have left with more than just a share of the spoils.
“We’re not settling for a point. We never settle for a point,” he insisted.
“I think that was the most fake game I’ve ever seen. The decision-making was diabolical, out of our control again.
“We scored a clear second goal that was way over the line, but it wasn’t given. It was the same at Alfreton, we’ve been denied again.”
Despite his anger at the officiating, Rowe admitted his players also had to take responsibility after failing to defend a late free-kick that led to Marine’s equaliser.
“We can only control what we control and we didn’t defend the second phase well enough. That’s really disappointing, because in general, we defended the 18-yard box really well in the second half.
“But we didn’t move the ball well enough, and when it went forward, we didn’t get hold of it.
“Our goalkeeper hasn’t had a save to make across three games, Kidderminster, Alfreton and Marine and yet he’s picking the ball out of his net.”
The Lynn boss was clear that recurring defensive lapses are undermining his team’s progress.
“Unless we learn quickly, in terms of the three goals we’ve conceded in the last three games, where two have come from set plays, then it’s going to keep costing us.
“To control most of the game and come away with just a point is not enough.”
Conditions at Rossett Park did little to ease Rowe’s frustration, though he dismissed suggestions that the heavy rain had been a factor.
“The pitch was 4G, it ran true and it ran fine. No complaints about that. It was just incorrect decision-making from the officials throughout the game that led to a farce.
“I’m tired of saying it because it sounds like sour grapes, but both managers agreed it was shocking.”
Williams’ free-kick was a rare highlight in a game that never really flowed, but Rowe again turned his attention to the defensive side of set plays.
“We work on them every week, but clearly we need to work harder because we keep conceding from them. It’s bitterly disappointing to come away from another long away trip like this with just a point.”
Looking ahead, Lynn now turn their focus to the FA Cup with a trip to Royston Town next Saturday.
“We’re in the next round of the cup, so we’ll go there with enthusiasm,” said Rowe. We go there to, obviously, win the tie.
“But the players and the staff, me included, need to reflect on that because it seems, again, that we’ve come away with a point. “Perhaps in the past, the King’s Lynn team would be happy with a point on the road, but this isn’t the case here.
We want to, obviously, get more points than 13 from nine. If mediocrity is what we want at this football club, then everyone will be satisfied with that outcome but we’re not.”
Marine: Barnsley, Brown, Thomas, Fielding, Wardle, Gregson (Hunter 70), Whelan, Newall, McDonald (Marsden 80), Sinclair-Smith (Bell 88), Bondo (Warburton 80). Subs not used: McIntyre, Tierney, Nolan.
Booked: Whelan, Newall. Scorer: Dickens OG 82
King’s Lynn Town: Chapman, Hall-Johnson, Clements, Doherty, Wilson, Clunan, Omotayo (Dickens 66), Gyasi (Marriott 83, Nyahwema 89), M. Williams, Crane, Forde-Brown (Maja 46). Subs: Chadwick, Fleming, Lambert.
Booked: Hall-Johnson, Clunan, Dickens, Doherty.
Scorer: M. Williams 7.
Attendance: 963.
