King’s Lynn Town 4, Gorleston 0

THE gallant Greens were unable to add a fourth higher-league scalp to their superb FA Vase run and bowed out of the competition in the second round at The Walks.

The Greens started with Robbie Oldham in for the absent Steve Taylor, and it was Oldham’s clearance that fell for Spriggs to shoot high and wide in the second minute.

Gorleston were being pinned back in their own half with Lynn commanding the game from the off. The Linnets took the lead from an Alsop cross which Defty headed in, although Pride had both hands on the ball and appeared to be fouled.

After several minutes of protests the goal was allowed to stand and from then on the Greens knew they were in for a hard task. The lively Spriggs was creating chances for Lynn but the Greens’ defence were soaking up the pressure.

Thurlbourne had a shot from 30 yards go wide and minutes later Harris saw his effort fly inches wide.

Buhlemann crossed for Defty, and his flick-on was met by a powerful header from Harris which Pride tipped over the bar.

The Greens gave their defence a breather with some good passing play between Williams and Sandford. The latter produced a cross which the keeper smothered at Forbes’ feet, and a Herbert header was easily gathered by him.

Lynn pressed and a second goal was imminent when Defty played an excellent pass to Spriggs, who pin-pointed a ball across the face of goal for Harris to bundle home.

Forbes had a shot blocked from a powerful Williams free-kick and Lynn countered this with Harris seeing his strike come back of a post. Half-time: Lynn 2, Gorleston 0.

The second half started with Gorleston on the back foot with Alsop’s cross from the by-line clipping the bar and a Defty header from a corner tipped over by Pride.

The Greens had a spell of 10 minutes which could have changed the game with good work by

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Oldham and Sandford in the middle and Williams out wide creating a couple of good chances.

A Williams free-kick fell for Herbert, who completely missed. Thompson was there but he blasted over from close range.

Gorleston got caught by a sucker punch when, on the attack, the ball fell to Spriggs. He played a neat one-two with Harris and powered the ball home.

Pride had made some excellent saves from the Lynn forward line and he was injured by a rocket shot from Spriggs which went over the bar.

After some lengthy treatment Pride was up on his feet, but from the resulting corner he could do nothing to stop Stone from scoring through a crowded penalty box.

With the Greens looking for consolation Forbes raced on to a through ball and was needlessly brought down by Fryatt, who was red carded five minutes into his Lynn debut.

The club is very proud of the players and also the supporters who made the long journey. Thanks go to everyone.

The Greens now look forward to March at home tomorrow whilst the Reserves travel to Woodbridge.

The following Saturday sees Gorleston at home to Dereham Town in the Norfolk Senior Cup.

Gorleston: Pride, Blowers, Daniels, Williams, Herbert, Thompson, Sandford, Hough, Forbes, Oldham, Hunn. Subs: Kareche,Thurtle,Bartley,Mitchell,Burgess. Att 806.