Hilliard sinks the Puritans with late winner

Manager Mike Ford named an unchanged side for the fourth game running but the Puritans returned home pointless from the premier division fixture.

The hosts started well and Michael Clunan set up Hilliard who was denied by Jack Harding before the United keeper saved Lee Stevenson’s header.

United briefly threatened but no one could get on the end of Darius Browne’s low cross before Leon Mettam’s close range effort was superbly saved by Harding. King’s Lynn began to dominate but United defended well as they were put under a lot of pressure in the final ten minutes of the half.

In a rare attack just before the break Browne exchanged passes with Eddie Odhiambo to slot home but the assistant referee’s flag was up for offside.

United improved after the restart with both sides showing promise going forward. But King’s Lynn again began to dominate and United were forced to defend well to stay on level terms.

They did that until the 75th minute when neat play from substitute Ryan Hawkins saw him get to the bye-line before crossing low into the box where Hilliard had the simple task of knocking the ball home from close range.

United had one chance to equalise with five minutes remaining when George Jeacock’s cross was glanced goalwards by Zac McEachran but the ball was deflected just wide of the far post.