Linnets pay the price for early misses

South Shields 2, King’s Lynn Town 0

National League North

Lynn may have lost at promotion-chasing South Shields on Saturday but it may have been a different story had Adam Lakeland’s men taken gilt-edged early chances.

After just seven minutes Stephens put wide when one one-on-one with Shields keeper Myles Boney and then, after nine minutes, the visitors were awarded a penalty after a foul on Cameron Hargreaves but Josh Barrett’s spot kick was saved by Boney, who also blocked the rebound.

The misses were to prove costly as second-place Tynesiders, unbeaten at home, grew into the match. After 38 minutes Paul Blackett crashed an effort against the frame of the goal and then Robert Briggs’ 20-yard strike forced Lynn keeper Paul Jones into a great save.

However, the Linnets were still a threat and went close in first half added on time when Barrett ran through only to see his shot blocked.

The Mariners piled on the pressure in the early moments of the second half, with Jones making several good saves before the opener came in the 64th minute when Luke James threaded a pass through for Paul Blackett, who finished clinically.

Lynn failed to make any more chances of note and the home side killed off the game with a minute remaining when quick thinking from Briggs saw him play a free-kick down the left channel to Jordy Mongoy, who produced a composed finish.

Shields: Boney, Lufudu, Adams, Liddle, Broadbent, Briggs, Woods, Hasani, Heaney, Blackett (Mongoy 79), James (Martin 72). Subs (not used): Smith, Abbey, Clarke.

Booked: Woods.

Manager Adam Lakeland issues instructions

Scorers: Blackett 64, Mongoy 89

Lynn: P Jones, Ronan, Coulson, McFadden, Clifford (Oke 73), B Jones (Smith 51), Hargreaves, Morrison, Stephens, Barrett (Fatadjo 90), Cybulski. Sub (not used): Walker.

Booked: McFadden

Attendance: 2,357.