Bishop’s Stortford suffer fifth successive defeat in Vanarama National League North after conceding 95th-minute goal in 3-2 loss at King’s Lynn
A goal deep into stoppage time agonisingly condemned Bishop’s Stortford to a 3-2 defeat at King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday evening (October 24).
The Blues looked to have earned a point through Aaron Greene’s 89th-minute equaliser, but the Linnets took the lead for the third and final time in the 95th minute.
It was their fifth successive defeat – and seventh in eight – in Vanarama National League North and leaves them one place and two points above bottom club Darlington.
Worryingly, they have now conceded 13 goals in their last four league games – and on Wednesday the club announced it was releasing four more players: central defenders Billy Cracknell, Ayo Shogbeni and Kyran Clements and midfielder Rob Howard.
Boss Steve Smith made two changes to the side that started the 4-1 home defeat by Warrington Town on Saturday, with Mark Haines and Jack Thomas coming in for Ollie Peters and Michel Parker, who were on the bench.
After an opening period where neither side threatened, it was Stortford who went close after 23 minutes when Linnets defender – and former Bishop’s Stortford High School student – Adam Crowther nearly chested the ball into his own net following an in-swinging cross from Darren Foxley, but it rolled wide for a corner.
Lynn took the lead a minute later when Tom Clifford picked up the ball on the left flank and his cross found Kian Ronan, who nodded deftly back into the box for Bartosz Cybulski to nod home.
It was nearly 2-0 after 29 minutes when Cybulski played through Ben Stephens on the right, but his effort from inside the area flew narrowly over the bar.
Back came Stortford and Gio McGregor saw a free kick from 25 yards go just over. However, he equalised in the 44th minute with a fizzing low strike from 20 yards, finding the bottom left-hand corner, to make it 1-1 at half time.
It was the Blues who went close first after the break, Tosin Olufemi’s strike from 20 yards deflecting just wide of the post after 53 minutes.
But six minutes later Lynn regained their lead when Stephens won a free-kick and Josh Barrett delivered a deep cross to the back post, where captain Josh Coulson lashed home from close range.
The Blues weren’t done though and Lynn keeper Paul Jones was forced into a good save in the 66th minute from Harrison Sodje’s right-footed strike.
They went close again five minutes later when Greene clipped a left-footed strike just over the bar from 25 yards, and a minute later Linnets keeper Jones was on hand to deny the same player from close range after an inch-perfect cross from Ollie Peters.
The home side were not done as an attacking force either and after 78 minutes Stephens cut onto his right and drove into the box, only to see his effort from 18 yards out well saved by Stortford skipper Jack Giddens.
The Linnets went close again after 87 minutes, Stephens trying his luck from a free kick 35 yards out after Cybulski was fouled, forcing a fine low save from Giddens.
Stortford pulled level for a second time with 88 minutes on the clock, Greene arriving in the six-yard box to slot home Olufemi’s low cross.
But Jack Smith sealed the victory for Lynn in the fifth minute of time added on. Lynn got a drop ball in their favour and it was played to sub Billy Jones, who chested it down to fellow sub Smith who found the bottom right corner with one of the last kicks of the game.
KING’S LYNN: P Jones, Ronan, Coulson (c), McFadden, Crowther, Clifford, Hargreaves, Morrison, Stephens (B Jones 90), Barrett (Smith 73 mins), Cybulski. Subs (not used): Oke, Isaacson, Walker. Booked: Clifford (foul), Ronan (foul), Morrison (foul).
BISHOP’S STORTFORD: Giddens (c), Haines (Parker 52 mins), Sodje, Thomas, Beadle, McGregor, Foxley, Olufemi, Walker (Charles 76), Greene, Alexander (Peters 62). Subs (not used): Marlow, Messaoudin. Booked: Greene (obstruction), Thomas (foul).
ATTENDANCE: 647.