Joe Simpson says the King’s Lynn Town players have set the bar after holding Peterborough United to a 1-1 draw.
Lynn’s newly appointed transition coach was delighted with what he witnessed as Lynn pushed their League One visitors every step of the way.
The Linnets turned in a fine display in what was their first game of the summer at The Walks.
Noah Freeman produced a superb goal-line clearance early in proceedings after good work from former Peterborough Sports man Gyasi.
It was Gyasi who made the breakthrough after nine minutes as his shot crashed against the inside of the post and rolled into the back of the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Posh levelled when a cross was bundled into his own net on the rebound by Clunan.
Adam Marriott, Theo Williams and Kyle Callan-McFadden all went close to winning it for the hosts in the second half.
Simpson said: “Obviously, for us, it’s always about performance. If our performances are at the level we know they can be, we’re confident results will come as we go through.
“It’s been an excellent week in terms of the boys’ application, attitude and training. The things we’ve been working on, certain outcomes that have come out against excellent opposition, a transition-based team that is very, very aggressive in what they do.
“We must continue the momentum. The boys have set a very, very good bar in terms of tonight and not just in terms that we’ve got a result, because I know that’s what people will look at.”
Simpson admitted he was taken aback by the atmosphere at The Walks.
“The energy inside the ground was outstanding,” he said.
“I’ve been at this club on and off for a long, long time, and I’ve not known a pre-season friend with an atmosphere like that.
“The boys getting clapped off at the end was excellent. In terms of the football side of it, it’s about getting to that performance level again, because good sides find consistency.
“It’s important that we continue to work on certain aspects that we’ve done well.
“In terms of transition, we were positive, securing first passes, causing them issues with the overload on the last line, which is something we’ve been massive on.
“It’s just about continuing to put those pieces together as we go along.”
Next up for the Linnets is a trip to National League South Ebbsfleet on Saturday.
Looking ahead to the game, Simpson said: “Ebbsfleet is an outstanding team in the National League South. They’ll be right up there this year, so it will be a brilliant test, but we believe in what we’re doing and what we’ve got.
“It’s about performance levels and if we get to our performance level, we feel that we’re not a bad side.”
