King's Lynn 4 Boston United 5
1st September 2004
THE Pilgrims ran out narrow winners in this nine-goal thriller at The Walks on Wednesday evening.Ex-Southend United striker Martin Carruthers and youngster Tom McManus gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage after only 20 minutes.
Former Pilgrim Mark Angel reduced the arrears three minutes later with a delightful free-kick which left keeper Pascal Foreman rooted to the spot.
Greg Strong restored the two-goal advantage with a superb set piece, but again the Linnets came back as Tony Battersby tucked away a penalty following a foul on Carl Holmes.
Yet again Boston replied when Lee Thompson got on the end of a delightful Carruthers chipped pass to put the visitors 4-2 up at the interval.
Star turn Gazza was among many half-time substitutions as both managers rang the changes.
Ex-Linnet David Staff increased Boston's lead further before two Robbie Harris strikes in the last 12 minutes put a much fairer reflection on a thoroughly entertaining game.
Lynn ran the rule over trialist Scott Lowe from Sheffield Wednesday, while former Walks favourite Paul Raynor made a brief second half appearance for Boston.
On Gascoigne's appearance, joint Linnets boss Darren Bloodworth said: "My football has grown up with Gazza in some ways and to be manager of a team that has played against him at The Walks is a tremendous feat.
"You couldn't turn down the chance for the public to see somebody like him playing, and from our point of view it was nice to be part of it.
"He is an absolute gentleman and a legend. He sat in this room as though he had known people for years."
Lynn: Osborne, Sutch, Lowe, Burrows, Jones; Fishlock, Stevenson, Holmes, Battersby, Bloomfield, Angel. Subs (all used): Blake, Harris, Bacon, Anderson, Heath-Preston, Harvey, Stone, White.
Boston: P Foreman, L. Thompson, R. Clarke, G. Strong, G. Jellyman, M. O'Holloran, S. Rusk, P Gascoigne, D. Staff, M. Carruthers, T. McManus. Subs: P Raynor, R. Norris, G. Haskins, S. King.
Referee: D. Hinchcliffe (Lynn).
Attendance: 1,024