Linnets slip out of National League North play-off picture after home draw

King’s Lynn Town 0 Brackley Town 0King’s Lynn Town slipped out of the National League North play-off positions despite sharing the spoils with morning leaders Brackley Town at The Walks.The Linnets spent long periods of the second half on the back foot against a Saints’ side who came into the game on the back of five successive wins.And although they defended their box brilliantly after the break, Adam Lakeland’s side were forced out of the play-off picture after Curzon Ashton’s 3-0 home win against Chorley.Lakeland kept faith with the team that won 2-0 against Southport at the weekend.Home defender Freddie Sass was the busiest of the Lynn players in the opening 15 minutes with his long throws keeping the Saints rearguard on their toes. After a scrappy start, the hosts almost made the breakthrough as Josh Hmami’s free-kick found its way through to Jonny Margetts whose shot was blocked by Zak Lilly and Sass’ follow-up was deflected behind for a corner. A bout of pinball followed in the home penalty area before the ball was eventually cleared as a physical Brackley effort tried to make their mark while Hmami typified the commitment on show from both sides as he forced Tyler Lyttle into a hurried clearance.Lyttle was the first name to be taken by the referee Ayrton Hursey for a clumsy challenge and the resulting free-kick from Finlay Armstrong was pushed wide by Tom Wilson.Morgan Roberts curled a shot wide for the Saints with the interval looming as Brackley enjoyed their best spell of the game. Josh Coulson’s header from a Hmami corner was cleared off the line as Lynn ended the half on top.Two big chances went begging for the visitors in the opening five minutes of the second half. A Morgan Roberts cross was met by the boot of Matt Lowe, who somehow contrived to hit the woodwork, and Justin Donawa was denied by a fingertip from Paul Jones down to his right as the Saints began asking all the questions.Lynn’s goal continued to live a charmed life as the Saints bossed the opening 25 minutes of the second half. The hosts made a triple change for the final 17 minutes but were unable to create anything of any real note in the second period.King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Coulson, Sass, Wilson, Crowe (Ronan 73), Armstrong (Crane 73), Taylor, McCammon (Barnes 73), Hmami, Margetts (Warburton 88), Omotayo. Sub not used: MarsdenBrackley Town: Maxted, Carline, Dean, Roberts, Lowe, Pollock, Lyttle (Newton 81), Donawa, Lilly, Byrne, Hall. Subs not used: Calder, Bates, O’Sullivan, OkaforAttendance: 788.