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Fleetwood's Adam Warlow denied by Scott Howie

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King's Lynn 1-0 Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town made the long journey to Norfolk needing a result to kick-start their unsteady season.

Fellow Blue Square North newcomers King's Lynn made sure that didn't happen and condemned Town to their third successive defeat.

The visitors did take something from the outing - a degree of confidence from a better all round performance, particularly in the second half.

Tony Greenwood opted to start with a 4-5-1 formation against a side who had managed to draw all seven of their league games so far this season.

Out went Simon Garner and Ashton Bayliss returned to the bench after his 90 minutes against Gateshead on Tuesday.

In came on-loan Chris Thompson, signed yesterday from Barrow, and Mark Peers returned after not being included on in mid-week.

Julian Joachim made his first start in four games for the Linnets, whilst brothers Charlie and skipper Jack Defty started in the home line-up.

Fleetwood did have some untidy periods in the first period but enjoyed some spells of good possession. Town did trouble the home defence when they kept the ball low and crossed into the home area.

The closet effort of the first half came from one of those crosses when Mark Peers curled his shot onto Scott Howie's woodwork just before the break. Adam Warlow was first to the loose but only managed to put his follow-up header wide.

A Joe Francis corner on 18 minutes found Simon Weaver at the far post. His return ball across goal found Michael Frew, who scored on his 100th appearance for King's Lynn.

Fleetwood entered the break needing to tighten-up in front of Hurst's goal. Kings Lynn had enjoyed too much space which created a route through the middle for Joachim to exploit on a number of occasions.

The second period started lively with both sides showing eagerness to increase the scoreline. On loan Chris Thompson took a Danny Hurst clearance and turned to volley from 30yards only to see the ball dip over with 3 minutes gone.

Nathan Pond went off in a tactical switch 5 minutes into the half to make way for a second striker.

Manager Tony Greenwood showed his determination to attack by sending Andy Bell to join Warlow. Danny Hurst, showing more confidence with a series of fine saves, was kept busy at the other end. He needed to be brave at the feet of Jack Defty 12 minutes into the half.

The Linnets continued their pressure when Milligan drove down a Joachim effort and Joe Francis picked up the second ball only to drive his shot over Hurst's bar. Joachim, lacking match fitness, made way for Danny Bloomfield in a like for like change after 70 minutes.

Town followed suit and Colin Potts took over from Mark Peers. Fleetwood then enjoyed their best spell of the game, with a restless home crowd feeling a seventh 1-1 draw was on it's way.

A decent opportunity for Fleetwood came on 70 minutes. A Milligan corner was met by an unconvincing Howie punch and the skipper took the ball again. His cross was headed wide by the offside Kilbane. Adam Warlow, needing to remember just how clinical he can be, made way for Phil Denney with 12 minutes remaining.

Both sides were hungry and the game finished with plenty of end to end action.

Hurst was at full stretch to parry Jack Defty's long-range blast and Bell was caught offside as he continued to trouble Howie.

The substituted Nathan Pond feels Fleetwood should have gone home with at least a draw.

He said: "The lads feel down because we should have taken something out of the game. My own personal performance went well in the first half but I was substituted early in the second for a tactical change. We went two upfront and should have had a point in the end.

"Pressure is on the players and the management. We know what we can do and we'll pull through it as a team. A win on Tuesday will make me happy and set the team up for league action.

"I usually start the season slow but have been quicker this time. I'm playing with a slight back strain at the moment but I'll carry on. The best is still to come, both from me and the team," finished Pond.

Despite a different formation in each half Fleetwood were unable to break down a team who had failed to hold onto a lead in seven previous outings.

King's Lynn managed an eighth solitary goal but found an opposition unable to match their tally. Town will not welcome the distraction of Setanta Shield duty on Tuesday when they visit Harrogate Town.

What they will welcome is another opportunity to find a winning formula.