Hastings Town 1 King's Lynn 0
20th March 1999
THE LINNETS' surge away from the relegation dogfight in the Dr Marten's Premier Division suffered a setback on Saturday when they slumped to defeat at crisis club Hastings Town.
A single goal after a quarter of an hour was enough to condemn them to only their second defeat since the turn of the year.
But they could have few complaints about the result after turning in a performance that totally belied their recent good run of form.
The Linnets started brightly and Lee Wilson almost struck early on but his close range effort was charged down by a covering defender.
Wilson was presented with an even better chance when he was put clear on goal by Gary Mills' through ball. But Wilson failed to take advantage and his shot was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Tony Kessell.
Hastings' response was immediate and decisive. A free kick from Tery White picked out the late run of Stuart Myall at the far post and he made no mistake with a clinical header buried low into the corner.
Lynn went close to levelling when that man Wilson shot into the side netting from a cross by Steve Nottingham, who was making his debut.
After finishing the first half on a positive note the Linnets completely lost their way in the second period. All they had to show for their efforts were a couple of headers from Mark Turner and substitute Micky Nuttell but neither really troubled the underworked Kassell.
It was a very different story at the other end as Chuck Martini was called upon to make a series of athletic saves. The marvellously named keeper did well to deny Steve Sargent, Myall (twice), Danny Chapman and White as Hastings went in search of a killer second goal.
It could have been worse for Lynn because captain Colin Hoyle was fortunate not to be sent-off for kicking lumps out of Steve Smith as the Hastings man attempted to shield the ball near the corner flag. Lynn: Martini, Nottingham (Nuttell), Spearing, Hoyle, Fuff, Mills, Turner, Fitzpatrick, Allen (McGinty), Wilson, Puttnam. Sub (not used): Clark
Hastings: Kessell, Jobbs, Mintram, Playford, Myall, Tuppenney, White, Chapman, Smith, Simmonds, Sargent (Ball). Sub (not used): Elford, Jones.
| MATCH STATISTICS | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings |
| Lynn | 2 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 11 | Wilson Hoyle |
| Hastings | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 |