King's Lynn Town return to the top after Scarborough Athletic are beaten in five-goal thriller at The Walks
King's Lynn Town 3 Scarborough Athletic 2
Skipper Michael Clunan was the late hero as King's Lynn Town returned to the top of the National League North table after a titanic encounter at The Walks.
While AFC Fylde were being held to a goalless draw on their travels at Blyth Spartans, the Linnets were back to their energetic best as they strolled into a 2-0 lead at the interval thanks to Ben Stephens and a Gold Omotayo penalty.
Visiting Scarborough were a different proposition after half-time and hit back through Jake Charles and Luca Colville before Clunan popped up to settle a breathtaking encounter two minutes from time.
Manager Tommy Widdrington made four changes from the side held to a 1-1 draw by Buxton on Tuesday night.
The quartet of Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tyler Denton, Tommy Hughes and Ben Stephens all returned to the Lynn team.
Both Theo Widdrington and Aaron Jones were missing from the Lynn squad while Aaron Cosgrave and Jacob Jones dropped to the bench after the midweek draw.
Lynn made almost the perfect start by taking taking the lead in the sixth minute.
The visitors stood off Lynn as Stephens exchanged passes with Omotayo before creating space and finding the back of the net with the help of the far post.
Scarborough put their bodies on the line to block efforts from Omotayo and Michael Clunan in quick succession as Lynn looked to add to their tally.
And in truth, the hosts could have easily been three goals to the good in the opening 15 minutes.
Crowther saw his shot cleared off the line by Ryan Qualter after Josh Barrett's ball into the box caused panic in the visiting defence.
Visiting goalkeeper Joseph Cracknell then stood tall to thwart Clunan after Barrett had pierced open The Seadogs' defence.
Stephens was a constant thorn in the Scarborough side and Cracknell pulled off another stop to deny the Lynn livewire.
Barrett's first-time effort whistled past the post 18 minutes before the break as Widdrington's side remained in total control.
The home side deserved a second goal and it duly arrived after Denton was bundled over in the box and Omotayo tucked away the resulting spot-kick.
Scarborough made a double change for the start of the second half and it coincided with their best spell of the game.
The Seadogs reduced the arrears six minutes after the restart as Lynn failed to deal with a corner and substitute Charles smashed the ball home.
Lynn responded quickly as Barrett saw his free-kick turned behind for a corner by Cracknell.
It was then the turn of Sam Blair to pull off a fine stop at the other end after Ryan Watson's shot had taken an awkward bounce in front of him.
Five minutes from time Scarborough equalised after Luca Colville's stunning long-range shot beat Blair with ease.
But Lynn weren't finished yet and Cosgrave picked out Clunan on the edge of the box and the skipper found the back of the net with a composed finish..
King's Lynn Town: Blair, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Crowther, Coulson, Callan-McFadden, Denton, Hughes, Clunan, Barrett (Ponticelli 78), Stephens (Cosgrave 69), Omotayo. Subs not used: Fleming, J. Jones, Keller.
Scorers: Barrett 6, Omotayo (penalty) 33, Clunan 88.
Scarborough Athletic: Cracknell, Weledji (Wiles 78), Burton (Watson 46), Qualter, Gooda, Jackson, Malony, Glynn, Greenfield (Charles 46), Colville, Coulson. Subs not used: Heslop, Thornton.
Scorers: Charles 51, Colville 85
Attendance: 1,180.
