Linnets suffer late blow in the FA Cup

Curzon Ashton 1 King’s Lynn Town 0King’s Lynn Town’s FA Cup dream was ended in the Fourth Qualifying Round as manager Adam Lakeland made a losing return to his former club.The Linnets dug in on the manager’s return to the Tameside Stadium but were undone two minutes from time as Luis Lacey slammed home the only goal of the tie.It was Lynn’s third defeat against the Nash in the space of eight months following 4-2 and 2-0 defeats against the Manchester-based side in league meetings between the two sides at the Walks.Speaking to Radio Norfolk after the game, Lakeland said: “We had a clear plan on how we wanted to play in the game and what we wanted to do in the game.“I felt that we were getting stronger in the game, to be honest, we had more moments with the ball – didn’t do enough, I don’t think, if I am being honest, to win the game, but I didn’t think they did either. “It looked like it was going to be a replay all day long and then it’s just too easy for them to get a ball in the box and score at the back post. “It’s incredibly frustrating and disappointing but I don’t think there was really much in the game and we knew the way we were setting up that they’d have more possession and we were going to try and nullify them through the middle of the pitch, which I think the players executed very, very well, but we shouldn’t be conceding a goal from a cross, but we have and it’s cost us.“Macca (Kyle McFadden) said he got a little touch on the cross that came in, it’s then hit Dylan (Crowe), his momentum’s taken him the other way and the lad’s just smashed it in.“Really disappointing for us to concede a goal like that because I thought we looked solid all game.” Lakeland made three changes to the side that started the 2-1 win over Darlington at the Walks last weekend.Assistant boss Sam Walker replaced the suspended Ross Crane in midfield while Kyle Callan McFadden came back into the side at the expense of Finlay Barnes, who dropped to the bench.There was also a first start for striker Theo Williams with Tommy Hughes also being named among the substitutes. Lynn goalkeeper Paul Jones was forced to beat away a Stefan Mols effort from an acute angle in the opening exchanges as the swirling wind caught out the visitors.Although the Nash enjoyed plenty of possession in the first 45 minutes, chances were at a premium before the break. The best opportunity of the half fell to Lynn’s Williams in the 33rd minute but the young frontman dragged his shot wide of the target.Curzon Ashton started the second period on top with Luke Griffiths seeing his effort flash wide of the near post.Griffiths struck a free-kick straight into the arms of Jones midway through the second half as the tie remained delicately poised between the two National League North rivals.Isaac Sinclair saw his curling effort turned behind for a corner for the hosts as the clock ticked down in Manchester. The Nash continued to push forward as they looked to break the deadlock and the goal duly arrived late in the tie as Adam Barton’s knockdown was converted by Lacey.Substitute Josh Coulson came closest to earning Lynn a late equaliser but his header ended up on the roof of the net.Curzon Ashton (4-1-3-2): Jones; Hayhurst, Richards, Poscha, Matthews; Barton; Griffiths (Sobowale 90), Mols (Lacey 80), Sinclair; Spencer, Buckley-Ricketts (Afuye 66). Subs not used: Ollerenshaw, Waring, Tetlow, Mahon.Goal: Lacey 88 Booked: Griffiths.King’s Lynn Town (5-3-2): Jones; Sass (Hughes 84), McFadden, Taylor, Wilson, Crowe; Walker (Coulson 90), Johnson, Hmami (Barnes 86); Williams (McCammon 65), Omotayo. Subs not used: Boyes, Whiteley.Booked: Taylor, Sass, Crowe.Referee: Richard Holmes.