Eastleigh 0 King's Lynn 0
16th August 2003
LYNN battled. to a valuable point in their Dr Martens Eastern Division opener at newly promoted Eastleigh, despite going down to ten men when David Staff was sent off.He gave the referee no choice in the 34th minute when he kicked out. at David Hughes after being awarded a free-kick for a foul by the Eastleigh midfielder.
The game had produced early fireworks when Linnets skipper Glen Fuff clashed with ex-Southampton forward Nicky Banger near the touchline in the only the second minute.
Eastleigh produced most of the early pressure and were awarded a free kick just outside the area.
The Linnets wall blocked Ryan Ashford's attempt and the ball was successfully scrambled clear.
The hosts' Tyronne Bowers became the first name in the referee's book following a wild challenge on Chris Bacon in the 19th minute.
The first real chance of the game came during a spell of pressure from the Linnets, however Colin Matthews turned a Staff snapshot round for a corner.
Nine minutes later Staff went for an early shower and within a minute the Linnets lost Carl Holmes when he hobbled off with a nasty-looking hamstring injury.
It wasn't until injury time that Eastleigh forced a save out of Steve Wilson when he turned a 20-yard effort from Ashford for a corner.
From the corner Lynn broke away and Malcolm Ndekwe fired narrowly over.
Ndekwe then had the first chance of the- second half when he left the Eastleigh defence desperately appealing for offside, but a brilliant save from Matthews thwarted him.
Martin Beck's arrival gave Eastleigh some impetus and from his cross Paul Sales got in a header.
Both sides continued to make chances but, with Paul Raynor pulling the strings in midfield, the Linnets made light of the fact that they were a man short to earn a well-deserved point.
Eastleigh: Colin Matthews, Philip Warner, Ryan Ashford (Martin Beck 57), Lee Bright, Danny Rofe, Robert Marshall, Kevin Gibbens, David Hughes, Paul Sales, Nicky Banger (Shea Saunders 82), Tyronne Bowers (Charlie Balfe 71). Not used: Wayne Shaw, David Asker
Lynn: Wilson, Glarvey, Skelly Burrows, Fuff, Holmes (Woodrow 35),'J: Defty Raynor, Bacon (Jones 76), Staff, Ndekwe (Harris 69). Subs not used: Hyde, Nobes.
Sent off, Lynn: Staff 34. Booked, Eastleigh: Bowers 19; Warner 80.
MoM: Paul Raynor. Attendance: 296. Referee: William Lillington (Dorchester).