Ilkeston Town 2 King's Lynn 1

9th November 1999

LINNETS manager Gary Mills blamed a sloppy defensive display for his side's first league defeat in seven games on Monday night.
Lynn conceded two first half goals and never really recovered against one of the league's strongest sides.

"We gave away two sloppy goals," admitted Mills. 'Ye didn't defend very well at all. Ilkeston are going to be one of the teams up there challenging and when you give them two goals start it makes it very difficult."
Mills added that he was encouraged by the Linnets reply. "We got back into the game," he continued. "We had the better chances in the second half."

Linnets lacked the sparkle that was needed and how Mills must have wished for a player of the creativity, pace and threat that two-goal Tony Hemmings had on proceedings.
Ilkeston took the game by the scruff of the neck from kick-off and Paul Raynor and Ian Helliwell both came close before Hemmings put the Robins ahead after 14 minutes.
It took a fine solo run and smart finish from the experienced front man, but the Lynn defenders backed off and allowed Hemmings the time and space to score with a low shot.
Hemmings then rattled the away bar seconds after striker Christian Moore had also been denied by the woodwork.

New boy Lyndon Rowland looked the only Linnets threat as he flashed a shot wide and then had appeals for a penalty turned down after a clumsy challenge from Dean Fearon.

Moore then saw an header land on the top of the net, but it was Hemmings again who breached the Linnets ranks just before half-time, although he looked suspiciously offside when he ran clear before rounding Chuck Martini to score.

However, Lynn were thrown a lifeline on the stroke of halftime when Glen Fuff rose to head home a Tony Marsden free kick.
The second half was a scrappy affair of few chances although Emeka Nwadike spurned the best opportunity when he stole in only to see his low shot creep past the far post.

A double substitution of Dave Puttnam and Lee Wilson failed to bring the required creativity, however, Wilson could have snatched a late equaliser but he fired wide after keeper Damien Beattie had spilled a cross. Lynn: Martini, Mills, McGinty, (Puttnam 69),Dakin, Fuff, Spearing, Nwadike, Turner, Cleaver (Wilson 69), Rowland, Marsden. Sub (not used) Clark.
Ilkeston: Beattie, Fairclough, Wright, Middleton, Fearon, Knapper, Eshelby (Ludlam 88), Hemmings, Helliwell, Moore, Raynor. . Subs (not used) Hurst, Clarke.

MATCH STATISTICS	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	1	6	3	4	20	Mills (19 foul) Dakin (48 foul) Rowland (60 foul)
Ilkeston	5	8	4	4	19	Fearon (70 foul) Raynor (89 foul)