King’s Lynn Town 1 Cheshunt 0

A piece of magic from Tommy Hughes ensured King’s Lynn Town’s passage in the FA Cup.

Lynn had the bulk of possession but had been frustrated by their lower league opponents for much of the afternoon, until Hughes struck on 68 minutes with a superb finish which settled the second qualifying round tie.

It eased a few nerves around The Walks where a disappointing crowd of 622 had seen Lynn struggle to turn possession into goals.

Once Hughes struck, Lynn came close to opening the floodgates, with Josh McCammon twice going close. In the end, a place in Monday's draw was sufficient.

Lynn boss Adam Lakeland made three changes to the starting XI from the defeat at home to Curzon a week earlier – striker Jonny Margetts was out with injury and midfielder Cody Johnson suspended. Greg Taylor was missing from the matchday squad with a knock. In came Gold Omotayo up front, Tom Wilson in defence and Hughes in midfield.

Great work by Omotayo and Josh Hmami created an early opening for Fin Barnes, whose effort was saved by keeper Preston Edwards.

Captain for the day Kyle McFadden and Barnes again went close as Lynn dominated the early stages.

But wayward passing in defence offered Cheshunt some unexpected openings and an injury break gave Lakeland the chance to speak to his outfield players and reassert some authority that was beginning to drift.

Cheshunt obviously sensed it and Lynn needed keeper Paul Jones at his most alert to keep out Khris Oti’s shot as the visitors upped the tempo.

Jones did well again to get down to keep out Jeremy Bisall’s shot from 12 yards which went through a few sets of legs.

Ross Crane wasted a golden opportunity six minutes after the break, heading Hmami’s over from close range, with the goal gaping.

McFadden hooked an effort over and Hmami was inches away from picking up an Omotayo flick-on.

But clear-cut chances were few and far between – until Hughes struck, an exquisite shot over the keeper after Josh McCammon had played the ball perfectly into his path down the left.

McCammon should have sealed it with eight minutes remaining but clipped the ball by the keeper and the far post and moments later was denied by a fine save by Edwards.

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Ronan, McFadden, Wilson, Sass, McCammon (Whiteley 88), Hmami, Hughes, Barnes (Walker 71), Crane (Cybulski 90), Omotayo. Subs not used: Coulson, Boyes.

Goal: Hughes 68

Cheshunt: Edwards, Miles (Akolbire 82), Da Silva (Murphy 86), Orafu (Muyembe 88), Furlong, Sutton, Oti, Thomas, Wood (Wynter 74), Granville, Bisall (Vasilou 73). Subs not used: Braney, Jefcoate.

Att: 622