KING'S Lynn avenged their home defeat by Salisbury City earlier this month when they ran out 3-0 victors at Old Sarum on Saturday.

Against a side who look to be en route to the title, lacklustre City failed to show the form that had ignited their own dreams of stealing the Eastern Division crown. Three second half goals in the space of 20 minutes proved Whites' undoing and effectively ended any hopes of a top three finish.

Another bumper 900-plus crowd witnessed a goalless first half which had produced little goalmouth action.

Kevin Sawyer was the busier of the 'keepers and made amends for misjudging an early Dave Staff effort by denying Jack Defty on 21 minutes.

Whites' best move of the half saw Matt Holmes and Matt Tubbs link well to put in Craig Davis whose shot forced Linnets 'keeper Steve Wilson to save, albeit at the second attempt.

Aaron Cook was unlucky not to score from Davis' corner early in the second half. But once Defty had broken the deadlock on 67 minutes there was no way back for the home side.

The Linnets player netted again with a header four minutes later and Staff completed City's misery three minutes from time.

Manager Nick Holmes could not hide his disappointment at the result and in particular, his side's second half display.

He said: "I felt I couldn't take anything positive out of the game.

"The players let everyone down in the last 20 minutes. They threw in the towel which is something I don't usually see from these boys."