King’s Lynn pick up first clean sheet for two months with battling goalless draw at Southport in the National League North

Southport 0 King’s Lynn Town 0

King’s Lynn Town marked Ian Culverhouse’s return to the dugout with a battling goalless draw at Southport.

The result ended a two-month wait for a clean sheet and hinted at signs of defensive stability after a difficult spell.

It wasn’t a classic by any stretch.

Both sides struggled to find rhythm or quality in a drab encounter at Haig Avenue, but Culverhouse, back at the helm for the first time since his reappointment earlier in the week, saw encouraging glimpses of improvement from his players.

Lynn were second best in a nervy opening half as neither team managed to create much of note, but the visitors grew stronger after the break.

Substitute David Kamara twice went close in the closing stages as the Linnets pushed for a winner that never arrived.

Still, a point and a clean sheet - their first since the end of August - provided something tangible to build on for a squad low on confidence.

Speaking after the game, Culverhouse said: “I thought we looked nervous on the ball.

“We didn’t have any fluid passing patterns, or movement, or connections. But that’s probably where we are at the moment.

"The players are a little bit tender, a little bit fragile, and they don’t want to make a mistake with a new man coming in and things like that. But I thought in the second half we were a lot better. We got on the ball.”

The returning manager admitted the performance was far from pretty, but he was quick to stress patience as he looks to rebuild belief and structure within the squad.

“This is a talented group,” he added.

“We just need them to be a little bit more composed on the ball, and a little bit calmer.

"It wasn’t pretty, in fact, it was boring at times, but it was one of those games where you saw two nervous sides not really at it. But it’s something to build on.”

Culverhouse, who only had two training sessions with his players before the trip to Merseyside, opted for a switch to a back four and a diamond in midfield.

While attacking quality remained lacking, the manager was pleased with how his side adapted to the change.

“We went with a four and a little diamond in midfield,” he explained.

“We just wanted them to get on the ball and have overloads in central areas. Our quality in the final third wasn’t really good, and our quality with the front players wasn’t the best.

"But it’s a start, building blocks. If we can build on this at home on Tuesday, it’s a good point away from home.”

One of the biggest positives came at the back, where Lynn looked far more compact and organised than in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Aaron Chapman and the backline dealt well with Southport’s limited threat.

“I thought the back five, including Chappie were excellent,” Culverhouse said.

“The two centre-halves were strong, and the full-backs stopped the flow into the box.

"The distances between them were much better. It’s a start for us, and now we’ve just got to make sure we keep building on it.”

Winger Ross Crane also caught the eye with a more influential display, something his manager believes will be crucial as the Linnets look to rediscover their attacking spark.

“He’s exciting, a good talent,” said Culverhouse.

“He drives with the ball, and we need that. He tired towards the end because he’s had a lot of minutes lately, but he’s done well.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s home clash with Leamington, Culverhouse emphasised the importance of togetherness and belief as the club begins another new chapter at the Docherty Walks Stadium under his guidance.

“It’s just getting them to believe in themselves,” he said. “To trust each other — look left and right and trust the man next to you. Hopefully, this is a good point, but we’ll find out on Tuesday night.

"It’s been a hectic two days, but I thought they grew into the game today.

"On another day, they could have had one or two, but I think it was a fair result. The game wasn’t the best, but we go away with a point.”

Southport: Renshaw, Pike, Moore, Slew, Gnahoua (Lloyd 46), Keane, Hilton, Minihan, Edwards, Thibaut (Touray 59), Griffiths. Subs not used: McKenzie, Murphy-Worrell, Pickles, Simms.

King’s Lynn Town: Chapman, Hall-Johnson (Fleming 82), Clements, Wilson, Clunan, Collins (Maja 72), Omotayo, Dickens, Marriott (Kamara 72), Williams, Crane. Subs not used: Chadwick, Gyasi, Smith.

Booked: Hall-Johnson, Crane, Dickens.