King’s Lynn Town 2-2 Brackley Town - Vanarama National League North - Tuesday 5th Sept 2023

A battling and inspired away performance saw the Saints fight back from a two-goal deficit to claim a deserved draw with an added-time equaliser.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the lads,” Gavin Cowan said. “I thought the performance was incredible, we controlled the play for most parts and we were dominant. The attitude and application of the players is something to marvel at.”

After starting strongly Brackley fell behind to a deflected effort as Ismael Fatadjo swept his shot over Danny Lewis with 10 minutes played in the hosts’ first attack of the game. Danny Newton spurned a fine chance to level on the stroke of half-time firing over when set up with the goal in his sights.

The lead was doubled early in the second half through another deflected shot that wrong-footed Lewis, Bartosz Cybulski the scorer. But Gavin Cowan’s side never tired and piled relentless pressure on the Linnets’ defence before Jordan Crawford pulled a goal back on the hour, his first in a Brackley shirt.

A scramble was cleared, the post was struck, Morgan Roberts was through but thwarted by keeper Jones before it seemed Saints’ tireless pressing would be in vain. But with half of the four minutes of added time played it was Jimmy Armson who forced the ball into the net for the deserved equaliser, Armson’s first goal of the season earning a precious away point and just reward for a memorable fight-back and fine away performance.

“The way the group tonight has stuck together and the manner they have come back and continued to knock on the door is incredible,” Cowan continued. “Some teams would get despondent. If there is an area we need to improve it is finishing off some of those many chances we created and to be more ruthless in front of goal.”

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Oke, Coulson, McFadden (Ponticelli 46), Smith, Isaacson, Hughes, Spence, Fatadjo (Royle 78), Barrett, Cybulski (Bartley 62). Subs unused: Delgado, Sandford.

Brackley Town: Lewis; Carline, Calder, Murombedzi, Lilly, Lyttle, Bates (McHale 58), Armson, Newton, Crawford (Roberts 78), Matwasa. Subs unused: O’Sullivan, Worby, Turner.

Referee: Abigail Byrne Assistants: Samuel Lee and Shaun Barry

Attendance: 753