A 77th minute header from Tony Davies gave Marine a share of the spoils at the Arriva Stadium against high flying King’s Lynn on Saturday, Kevin Lynch’s men coming from behind to earn a draw and continue their recent good league form.
The Crosby side have now notched three wins and a draw from their last five league outings to move in to a mid table slot and were full value for their point, Lynn being on top for the first period but Marine responding well in the second.
Both sides made changes from the previous week’s FA Trophy line ups with this match being a much more entertaining affair than the previous instalment, despite a strong wind blowing down the Arriva Stadium pitch straight off the Irish Sea.
The visitors had the advantage of the elements in the first half and had several good opportunities to score only be denied by a mixture of resolute Marine defending, smart work from Tim Dittmer between the sticks and poor finishing.
Full back Danny Spencer had the Norfolk side’s first shot on target from a free kick, shooting past the defensive wall but being foiled by an excellent low stop from Marine’s number one low down at the foot of a post.
Dittmer was soon in action again to pull off another fine save, blocking with his body from the lively Ben Muirhead’s shot, the Lynn player then going close with a header which cannoned off the angle of post and crossbar.
Muirhead was the fulcrum of most of the visitors’ attacking play and midway through the half he linked up with player manager Carl Heggs to square an inviting cross, the inrushing Owen Story somehow contriving to divert it over the bar as a gaping goal beckoned.
Marine had struggled to make any real headway in the first half against the wind and a well drilled defence and must have fancied their territorial chances in the second period – and so it proved, but not before they were a goal down just two minutes after the restart, Heggs flicking on for Anthony Robinson to score with a neat shot on the turn from close range.
The Whites needed to crank up the pressure and started to push forward, Stephen Brown putting Peter Cumiskey through on goal but the veteran wing wizard being denied by a top class save from Danny Gay, racing off his line to block the Marine man’s chipped shot.
The home side were now getting on top and should have scored with twenty minutes to go, substitute Paul Crewe crossing from the left for the lurking Johnson to hit the post, the ball rolling along the line in to the clutches of the keeper.
Jamie Rainford then got on the end of a deep cross from Michael Jackson to divert a header just wide of the target but there was always a feeling that there was a Marine equaliser in the offing, and it duly arrived from a Steve Hussey corner, Davies scoring with a soaring header in to the top corner from eight yards.
Davies then turned saviour at the other end as both sides went all out to win the game, producing a marvellous block to prevent a certain goal before Robinson blasted a great chance over the bar.
Paul Crewe nearly won it for Marine at the death with a toe poked effort which Gay scrambled around a post but a draw was a fair result on the day.
Marine: Tim Dittmer, Shaun Callacher, Joe Fowler, Tony Davies, Michael Jackson, Steve Hussey (Cap), Stephen Brown (Paul Crewe 66), Lee Parle, Jamie Rainford (Liam Rushton 81), Peter Cumiskey, Stephen Johnson.
Unused subs: Joe McMahon, James Bell, Kieran Molyneux. Cautions: None.
King’s Lynn: Danny Gay, Lewis Webb, Danny Spencer, Carl Palmer, Andrew Boyce (Cap), Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Owen Story, Joe Magunda, Carl Heggs (Kwesi Appiah 66), Anthony Robinson, Ben Muirhead.
Unused subs: Jordan Smith, Daryll Rose, Ally McNally. Cautions: None.
Referee: Mr. Michael Salisbury (Penwortham). Assistants: Mr. Nicholas Croft (Preston), Mr. David McStay ( Preston).
Attendance: 286
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