Stafford Rangers responded to Steve Bull’s cracking of the whip by giving their manager everything – except a goal.

Last night’s scoreless Blue Square North stalemate with draw specialists Kings Lynn at Marston Road was overshadowed though by a first half injury to Danny Alcock.

The first choice keeper dislocated an elbow saving the visitors’ only clear-cut chance of the evening, a 33rd minute shot from Joe Francis.

It meant a debut for young and untried deputy Danny Allen. Fortunately, the teenager did not have a lot to trouble him.

At the opposite end, Rangers had enough chances to have won several games, yet couldn’t convert a single one.

The pattern was set in the first minute when David McNiven set up Andre Francis, who failed to touch in a low cross.

The Rangers wide man, however, did come closest to breaking the deadlock five minutes from time with an exquisite chip that Scott Howie tipped over a full stretch.

Also in that frantic last 10 minutes, David MacPherson fired over when Howie was stranded outside his box, Carl Palmer shot inches wide and also missed the mark in injury times after his and Tom Thorley’s efforts had been blocked by some desperate defending by the Linnets.

Rangers: Alcock, Pierpoint, Loukes, Thorley, Daniel, Amos, Palmer, Wilson (66 Ingram), MacPherson, McNiven, A Francis. Subs not used: McMahon, Spalding, Morris.

Attendance: 476.