Victory moves Linnets a step closer to National League North safety

King’s Lynn Town 1 Chorley 0King’s Lynn Town inched themselves a step closer to National League North safety with a brilliant victory over play-off chasing Chorley this evening.Kyle Callan-McFadden’s header four minutes into the second half and a brilliant penalty save from goalkeeper Paul Jones were enough to move Adam Lakeland’s side five points clear of the drop zone going into the final two games of the season.It was Lynn’s first win in five games but it was no more than they deserved as they quickly banished the memories of their Easter Monday capitulation at home to Scarborough Athletic.The Linnets have taken points off all of the top four sides in the table at home as they again proved that they are a match for any side in the division on their day. There was one change to the Linnets starting line-up from the team that drew 1-1 at Banbury United on Saturday.Ross Barrows, who has had his loan deal from Scunthorpe United extended until the end of the season, took his place in defence at the expense of Kian Ronan who dislocated his shoulder against the Puritans. Lynn began well against their high-flying visitors but had to wait until the 19th minute before creating their first opening.A clever ball from George Morrison picked out Jonathan Margetts but the prolific frontman was unable to keep his effort down as it flew over the woodwork. Margetts thought he’d fired Lynn in front two minutes before the break with a clinical finish on the turn, only to be denied by the offside flag.Despite coming into the game sitting fourth in the table and with the second most effective attack in the division, Chorley failed to muster a single effort on target until the stroke of half-time as the legs of Jones denied the tricky Justin Johnson. Much of that was down to the efforts of Lynn who hounded and harried the opposition every time they had a spell of possession.Lynn took the lead four minutes into the second half as Sam Walker’s corner was emphatically met by the head McFadden. The Magpies were handed a lifeline back into the game when Morrison was harshly penalised for upending Frankie Maguire in the box and referee Dan England pointed to the penalty spot.But Jones brilliantly saved Jack Sampson’s spot-kick to his right before keeping out Johnson’s follow-up with his body. The Lynn custodian was called upon again five minutes later to thwart Johnson as the visitors stepped it up a gear. Jones was called upon once more to foil Chorley substitute Carlton Ubaezuonu in the final minute as Lynn held on for a crucial win.King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Barrows, McFadden, Taylor, Coulson, Hargreaves, Morrison, Crowe, Walker, Devonport (Rogers 87), Margetts (Cybulski 77). Subs (not used): Hughes, Twite, Dixon-HodgeChorley: Urwin, Henley (Sithole 83), Ellis, Smith, Glynn, Calveley, Maguire, Whitehouse, Sampson (Moyo 74), Johnson (Ubaezuonu). Subs not used: Nolan, Horbury.