King’s Lynn Town 0 Aveley 0

King’s Lynn Town will head to Essex for a replay after a stalemate in their FA Cup second qualifying round clash at The Walks.

Lynn struggled to create chances and had to wait almost an hour for their first effort on target against a side riding high in the National League South

Just 570 fans saw the stalemate – an indication of the fans’ perception of the stuttering Linnets performances this season.

Manager Mark Hughes has seen his selection hit by absentees – he was without Manny Oke, serving the first of a three-game ban, with Ismael Fatadjo, Ben Isaacson and Jordan Ponticelli dropped to the bench.

Bermuda international Harry Twite made his debut for Oke, with returning international Kian Ronan returning at right wing-back, allowing Jack Smith to move back into midfield. Tom Clifford slotted into the left wing back role after suspension.

Ben Stephens was back after injury, but Cameron Hargreaves, expected to return after his appearance last week against Southport, was missing from the squad.

Bartosz Cybulski fired a shot across the keeper’s bows as Lynn started well, before Jon Benton, at the other end, did well to create room for a shot which was just too high.

Goalmouth action was otherwise in short supply, but by the half hour mark Lynn were in danger of being given the runaround by the visitors, for whom Benton was pulling most of the strings.

Lynn keeper Paul Jones had to tip an Eduino Vaz effort over as the visitors camped around the penalty area, patiently waiting to carve out an opportunity.

Jones got down well to stop a Benton drive, but it was goalless at the break.

Josh Barrett fired into the side netting soon after the restart after a good break by Smith and a lay-off from Stephens.

Sub Jordan Ponticelli had Lynn’s first shot on target on 58 minutes, firing straight at keeper Jonathan North after being released by a lovely pass by Barrett.

Barrett had an effort turned away well by North as Lynn enjoyed a good spell.

They couldn’t sustain it and Benton saw a shot come off Jones’s right hand post as the match moved into the final 10 minutes.

 

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, McFadden, Coulson, Twite, Ronan, Clifford, Smith, Spence, Stephens (Fatadjo 69), Barrett (Yearn 84), Cybulski (Ponticelli 56). Subs not used: Subs: Isaacson, Bartley, Delgado, Royle.

Aveley: North, Ring, Vaz, Odelusi, Jones, Gibbs, Rush (Hernandez 90), Kelly, Hughes, Benton, Kyei (Aileru 81). Subs not used: Witherspoon, Davis, Stephen, Ogunrinde, Ainsworth.

Att: 570