Cambridge City 2 King's Lynn 3
20th November 1999
LINNETS won with a controversial last-gasp penalty after losing a two goal lead to give a forthright answer to fans' complaints. Last week manager Gary Mills was livid when he said supporters abused new midfielder Mark Harbottle, but in the first half Linnets gave the perfect riposte with a 2-0 interval lead on a boggy pitch.
Cambridge hit the woodwork three times and, under severe second half pressure, Lynn conceded a late equaliser but were immediately given a chance to win it.
The linesman adjudged that a defender handled Tony Marsden's shot, and City's Andy Kirkup was sent off for his furious reaction.
From the spot a much-improved Lee Wilson grabbed his second goal of the game and his seventh of the season to become top scorer.
"We played very well in the fir st half and defended well when we had to," said Mills. "But I was disappointed to lose a two-goal lead. They put us under pressure in the second half but we showed character."
On the quarter-hour Cambridge were penalised for handball. Dave Puttnam's free kick was sidefooted across goal by Dave Robinson and Wilson was on hand to turn in from close range at the far post.
Then came a bizarre incident as Scott Taylor followed up a blocked shot, the outstanding Simon Dakin headed off the line, the ball hit the bar and bounced around the goal line for Chuck Martini to gather.
There was no doubt about Linnets' second. Mills beat Taylor and his deep cross was met with a Dakin header which looped in. Mills pointed to his shirt to remind the fans.
Puttnam was desperately unlucky when his free kick missed everyone, cannoned off the post and straight into Davies' arms. Then it was Taylor's turn to clatter the post.
Lilywhites responded with some furious pressure but it came to nothing until midway through the period when Dean Randall. converted a cross.
Neil Coburn struck the post but two minutes from the end he swept home the equaliser.
Lynn went up the other end and Marsden earned a delayed penalty as it took the official some time to notice the linesman's flag.
City players immediately harangued the referee's assistant, who was left in a heap. Referee Sultan Taylor had no option but to dismiss Kirkup.
City manager Chris Tovey later explained that Kirkup, in frustration, had kicked the corner flag and this hit the assistant in the face..
Amid heated tempers Wilson was the coolest player on the pitch to smash the penalty into the top corner. The winner meant that Lynn are the division's joint top away scorers.
Lynn: Martini, Dakin, Mills, Robinson, Fuff, Spearing, Harbottle, Marsden, Rowland, Wilson, Puttnam (Clark 90). Subs (not used) Cleaver, McGinty
Cambridge City: Davies, Coburn, Wenlock, Holden, Randall, Tovey, Newby (Reeder 45), Stringfellow, Taylor (Bartley 56), Leete, Kirkup. Sub (not used) Gawthrop.
| MATCH STATISTICS | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings/S-Off |
| Lynn | 10 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 16 | Robinson (3 foul Mills (19 foul) Rowland (63 foul) |
| Cambridge | 5 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 13 | Wenlock (58 foul) Coburn (61 foul) Kirkup (90 dissent)  |
Lynn News Man of the Match - Simon Dakin