Atherstone United 0 King's Lynn 0

15th January 2000

JON Palmer and transfer listed Shaun Keeble ended lengthy league goal droughts to secure victory in Warwickshire.
The visitors had to overcome a very physical Atherstone outfit. Referee David Adcock must have left his cards at home as some late sliding tackles and elbowing went unpunished.
But Keeble's second goal of the season, his first since August, and a welcome one from Palmer his first league goal for over a year - secured Linnets' first strikes of the millennium.
Lynn manager Gary Mills described the win as "brilliant."
"We needed to win and we worked hard today, we were very disciplined," he said. "It was very difficult to come here today and you can get intimidated. They were very committed and were elbowing and there were late fouls."
"Keeble deserved his goal. He played very well. worked hard and I thought lie was our top man. Palmer came on and got a great goal.
"There are 18 games left and I want to win every one of them."
For depleted Lynn, Mills was sidelined, sub Mark Harbottle was still nursing a groin injury, while Steve McGinty was absent as his grandfather had died on Friday night.
Midfielder Lee Gibson made his return to The Walks on non-contract terms, being brought back from Spalding as injury cover, but could not play as he was not registered in time.
Captain Tony Marsden, Mark Turner and Tony Spearing, the latter back from a two-match lay-off, were passed fit.
Lynn were soon under the cosh. Early mistakes by Marsden and Dave Robinson did not help, but Ian Pitt wasted both opportunities when the Adders counter-attacked down the slope.
Then in the tenth minute the dangerous Leon Kelly smashed an overhead kick over.
Midway through the half Lynn scored against the run of play. Dave Puttnam's free-kick was headed goalwards by Robinson, Andy Higgs dived to save and the ball looped to leave Keeble with probably the simplest chance he will ever get.
The striker nodded in from a few inches and turned to the linesman, who kept his flag down. Keeble looked surprised whether this was because the goal was allowed or because he had scored, we will never know.
Just after the interval Keeble released Puttnam, who elected to shoot when Lyndon Rowland was in a better position.
On the hour a great long ball from Robinson found Keeble down the right and he crossed, but Puttnam - scoreless since September - could only nod it over the bar.
The hosts then had an intense spell of pressure as Spearing was on hand to deflect Lee Middleton's effort for a corner.
Chuck Martini required two saves from Paul Olner's speculative 40-yarder, while Kelly just fired wide with Martini nowhere.
However, five minutes from the end, Middleton needlessly headed back, Puttnam took advantage with a neat overhead kick to Palmer, who rounded the keener and slotted home.

Lynn: Martini, Dakin, Spearing, Robinson. Fuff, Nwadike (Harbottle 72), Marsden, Rowland ( Palmer 72), Keeble, Puttnam.
Atherstone: Higgs, Blair (Purvey 65), Barratt, Olner, Hart, Redgate, Lavery, Middleton, Pitt (White 28), Kelly, Martin (Sargent 82).

MATCH STATISTICS	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	4	2	2	5	14
Atherstone	4	8	4	0	14