KEVIN Coyle netted another crucial goal as battling FC Clacton salvaged a share of the spoils at Gorleston.

The hosts broke the deadlock late on in Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest at Emerald Park.

However, Coyle salvaged a precious point from a free-kick in the 88th minute.

It was his sixth goal of the season.

“Kevin hasn’t played as well as we know he can, or as well as people have seen in the past,” said his brother, Clacton boss David Coyle.

“However, he’s done exactly the job I brought him in to do – score goals – and for that I can’t fault him.

“He’s a match-winner and a player capable of pulling something out of nothing.

“He strikes the ball as cleanly as anyone I’ve seen in non-league football, both with his right and left foot.

“And he’s scored some crucial goals in the last few weeks. Several stand out, including an absolutely ridiculous long-range effort at Wivenhoe.

“There was a collective gasp from both sets of supporters when that one went in.

“He also scored a couple against Diss and our late winner in the home match against Wivenhoe.

“I knew we had a chance when we won that free-kick at the end of Saturday’s game.

“Kev was standing over the ball and, knowing what he’s got in his locker, it was no surprise to see him score again.”

The Seasiders, fourth from bottom, are now three points better off than rivals Wivenhoe Town, who lost 6-4 in a crazy game at Whitton United.

They also have a marginally better goal difference.