King's Lynn come from behind to pick up a point at Southport in National League North

Southport 1 King's Lynn Town 1

King's Lynn Town showed their battling qualities as they came from behind to pick up a useful point at in-form Southport tonight.

Michael Carberry's early goal in the second half was cancelled out by Ben Stephens as Lynn moved to within two points of National League North leaders Brackley Town.

Linnets boss Tommy Widdrington made two changes from the side that defeated Kidderminster 3-0 for the trip to the north-west.

Midfielder Theo Widdrington was unable to shake off his hamstring problem and joined Jordan Ponticelli on the sidelines.

Playmaker Josh Barrett also dropped to the bench as Kyle Callan-McFadden and Stephens came into the starting line-up.

Chances were few and far between in a dour first half.

But perhaps the best opportunity fell the way of Lynn six minutes before the interval after Olly Scott fired over the woodwork following good work from Adam Crowther and Michael Clunan.

The Sandgrounders took the lead ten minutes after the restart through Carberry who saw his initial free-kick saved by Paul Jones before smashing home the rebound.

Lynn's leveller arrived 11 minutes from time as Stephens netted with an excellent header.

Southport: McMillan, C. Doyle, Anson, Evans, Munro (Heath 84), Archer, Walton (J. Doyle 72), Quansah, Hmami, Bainbridge, Carberry (Watson 72). Subs not used: Mason, Oliver.

Booked: Carberry, Archer.

Scorer: Carberry 55.

King's Lynn Town: P. Jones, A. Jones, Crowther, Coulson, Callan-McFadden (Oxlade-Chamberlain 62), Denton, Scott, Hargreaves, Clunan, Omotayo, Stephens (Barrett 82). Subs not used: Walker, Fleming, Blair,

Booked: Scott, Crowther.

Scorer: Ben Stephens 79.

Attendance: 904 (48 Linnets).