King’s Lynn play-off hopes suffer big blow with defeat at Peterborough Sports in National League North
Peterborough Sports 3 King’s Lynn Town 1
King's Lynn Town's urgent need for extra firepower was again all too evident as they slumped to a 3-1 derby defeat at Peterborough Sports in the National League North.
Former Linnet Michael Gyasi was among the goalscorers for the home side, who dashed Lynn's hopes of a comeback after Kian Ronan had levelled the scores early in the second half.
Linnets goalkeeper Paul Jones - recalled to the team at the expense of Pat Boyes - also saved a first-half penalty as boss Adam Lakeland failed to find a way to beat Sports for the fourth time in the dugout.
The Linnets handed a debut to right-sided Finlay Armstrong who arrived at The Walks on a month-loan from Rochdale yesterday.
Armstong, 21, previously worked under manager Adam Lakeland at Curzon Ashton in 2023.
The former Fleetwood Town defender came in for the injured Freddie Saass while Josh Coulson came into the heart of the Lynn backline for the sidelined Kyle Callan McFadden.
Peterborough Sports had three ex-Linnets in their starting line-up with Ryan Fryatt, Gyasi and Michael Gash all taking to the pitch against their old club.
Lynn settled into the game well and a snapshot from Tommy Hughes forced Peter Crook into his first save of the match after five minutes.
Peterborough Sports were awarded a penalty five minutes later after Josh Coulson had a tug of Max Booth's shirt but Jones pushed the resulting Alban-Jones spot-kick onto his post.
Armstrong saw his shot turned behind the goal by Crook at the other end and from the resulting corner Lynn had penalty shouts of their own turned away as Coulson appeared to be shoved over in the box.
The opening goal arrived 14 minutes before the break as Booth sent in a cross and Eliot Putman scored on the turn from eight yards out to put the Turbines in front.
It was a good spell for the hosts with Booth testing the reflexes of Jones with a stooping header soon after.
Lynn - again operating without a recognised striker - wasn't really at the races in the opening 45 minutes and Sports were good value for their interval lead.
Within two minutes of the second half Lynn were level as Josh Hmami's ball across the face of the box was fired home by Ronan at the far post.
The Turbines were awarded a second penalty ten minutes later when Gyasi went down easily under pressure - and the former Lynn man picked himself up and made no mistake from the spot.
A moment of brilliance from Kane Felix set up Sports' third goal with 20 minutes on the clock.
Felix completely skinned Greg Taylor down the right before crossing for Gyasi to knock the ball back into the path of Booth to smash the ball home.
Jones saved brilliantly at point-blank range to thwart Dan Jarvis as the home side threatened to run away with it at Pims Park.
Team News
Peterborough Sports: Crook, Putman, Fryatt, Jarvis (Van Lier 90), Felix, McCann, Alban-Jones, Bland, Gyasi (Winters 90+3) Gash, Booth (Mukuna 86). Subs not used: Lomax, Elsom.
Booked: Jarvis, McCann, Alban-Jones.
Scorers Putman 31, Gyasi 57 (pen), Booth 70.
Lynn: Jones, Ronan (Crowe 86), Wilson, Coulson (Williams 74), Taylor, Armstrong, Johnson, McCammon (Barnes 74), Hughes, Crane, Hmami. Subs not used: Boyes.
Booked: Johnson.
Scorer: Ronan 47
