Rothwell 0 King's Lynn 2
23rd February 2004
The travelling supporters summed it up at Rothwell on Tuesday night with their rendition of the Great Escape theme tune. Linnets looked condemned to relegation by Christmas but it seems a virtual certainty they will now retain their place in the Premier Division.
In early January they were eight points off fourth from bottom but now they hold that position and, if they continue their current form, a top four place looks likely.
The visit to Rothwell turned out to be the typical relegation dogfight. There was no pretty football but plenty of guts, although two bits of class from player manager Gary Mills proved decisive.
His teasing 39th minute cross set up the first goal for Lee Wilson and Mills' wonderful pass put in Steve McGinty for his first Lynn goal.
Rothwell mustered only two shots in the game - neither of them on target - but they hit the bar in a dangerous first quarter-of-an-hour.
When Lynn failed to deal with one of many dangerous corners, Paul Wagstaff saw his header come back off the bar. Rothwell did not manage another effort on goal - testimony to the visitors' good defensive display.
Then a good move saw Tony Spearing find Wilson, who knocked the ball down to Dave Puttnam and his first-timer was tipped over by John Hughes. Lynn took the lead when Mills' cross got the faintest of touches from Wilson's stomach.
Paul Ramsey, who had one of his best games in a Lynn shirt, picked up his fourth booking of the season for a comment to the referee while Puttnam was forced out at half time, still feeling a hamstring injury.
His replacement McGinty drove a shot at the keeper and Wilson's effort went narrowly wide. McGinty crossed for Mark Turner but his header was superbly kept out by Hughes but the points were sealed four minutes from time.
Rothwell disputed a free-kick given for hand-ball and from it, Colin Hoyle found Mills who clipped a delightful; pass over Dean Foley's head and McGinty took one touch before drilling the ball home.
Lynn: Martini, Hoyle, Spearing, Robinson, Fuff, Mills, Turner, Ramsey, Allen, Wilson, Puttnam (McGinty 45). Subs (not used): Palmer, Hilton
Rothwell Town: Hughes, Tiday (Foley 56), Crawford (Dowling), Brown, Wagstaff, Bullimore, Spencer, Dunlop, Moore, Hornby, Davies. Sub not used: Fletcher.
| MATCH STATISTICS | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings |
| Lynn | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 16 | Ramsey(45, dissent) Wilson(69, foul) Spearing(88, foul) |
| Rothwell | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 11 | Davies (66 foul) |