King's Lynn continue FA Cup love affair by beating Ashington

King's Lynn Town 3 Ashington 1

King's Lynn Town booked their place in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup after ending the brave run of Ashington in front of a bumper crowd at The Walks.

Ben Stephens fired the Linnets in front before the Northern League Division One outfit levelled through Luke Salmon.

But Jordan Ponticelli put the hosts back in front prior to the break before defender Adam Crowther scored for the second successive game to see Lynn over the line in front of more than 1700 fans.

Lynn made three changes as their set their stall on making the First Round Proper of the competition for a third year in succession.

Injured duo Theo Widdrington and Tyler Denton returned to the side at the expense of Olly Scott and Cameron Hargreaves while Kyle Callan-McFadden was given the nod ahead of Josh Coulson.

Also on the bench for Lynn was Norwich City youth team goalkeeper Sam Blair.

Former Blyth Spartans midfielder Robbie Dale – the scourge of Lynn in past seasons – couldn't even make the visiting bench as the visitors looked to extend their unbeaten sequence to 17 games in all competitions.

Ben Harmison – brother of ex-England fast bowler Steve – lined up in the heart of the Ashington defence.

Lynn almost settled any nerves immediately as Jordan Ponticelli and Gold Omotayo almost capitalised on a poor back-pass from the visitors in the opening 40 seconds.

Joshua Barrett was then denied by the legs of Karl Dryden as Tommy Widdrington's side started the tie well on the front foot.

The legs of Dryden, again from Barrett, came to the visitors rescue in the 11th minute but two minutes later he was finally beaten as Ben Stephens' shot was allowed to squirm under his body.

Omotayo missed a golden opportunity to double Lynn's advantage after Harmison's header back was well short of his goalkeeper, but the striker's first touch let him down with the goal at his mercy.

That wastefulness was left haunting the hosts on 20 minutes as Ashington levelled with their first real attack of the tie.

Lynn felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to the equaliser as Luke Salmon caught the home defence napping to sidefoot the ball past Paul Jones.

Ashington's joy was short-lived though when, three minutes later, Poticelli volleyed a clipped ball into the box into the roof of the net.

Fifteen minutes before the break, Dryden's left post was left shaking after Barrett's 20-yard effort came back off the woodwork.

Visiting goalkeeper Dryden atoned for Lynn's first goal by saving well from Widdrington before the hosts were given a real scare at the other end as Dean Briggs dribbled his way into the box and curled an effort just round the post.

The second half surely could not continue in a similar vein and so it proved.

Ashington, who had overcome Newton Aycliffe, Tow Law Town, Ashton United and Bradford Park Avenue to reach this stage of the competition, came out with the bit between their teeth.

Lynn were given another warning of the Colliers' capabilities early in the second period as Lee Mason fired just wide of the target.

The home side made a double change 11 minutes after the restart as Coulson and Hargreaves were introduced for Stephens and Callan-McFadden.

Their experience would prove vital as Lynn, who struggled to get out their own half at times, looked to see the tie out.

Indicative of Ashington's impressive performance in the second half, Lynn's confidence was replaced by an air of frustration.

Hargreaves saw his shot whistle inches over the woodwork as Lynn finally threatened the visitors goal while Clunan's effort was brilliantly smothered by the body of Dryden.

Any anxieties were finally settled 12 minutes from time after Coulson nodded Aaron Jones centre into the path of Crowther to slot the ball home.

The Linnets, who picked up more than £9,375 in prize money for their troubles, now await Monday evening's draw where they could be pitted against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County or Peterborough.

King's Lynn Town: P. Jones, Crowther, A. Jones, Callan-McFadden (Coulson 56), Denton, Clunan, Widdrington, Omotayo, Barrett (Charles 81), Stephens (Hargreaves 56), Ponticelli. Subs not used: Scott, Keller, Walker, Blair

Ashington: Dryden, Cartwright, Summerly, Aziakkonou (Mullen 41), Harmison, Lough, Mason (Johnson 82), Sampson, Maguire, Briggs, Salmon. Subs: Kalthoeber, Janusz, Anderson, Mullen, Ross, Smith.

Attendance: 1709.

Referee: Matthew Scoles.