Atherstone United 0 King's Lynn 0
23rd August 1997
A disappointing match saw few thrills after an explosive opening minute.James Holman had to be alert to pluck the ball from under the bar after Boyd Young picked out the unmarked Kim Green with a teasing cross inside 30 seconds.
Play immediately switched to the other end and appeals for a penalty were turned down when Lee Hudson's shot hit a defender on the arm.
That looked accidental but there was no such doubt about a second-half incident that saw Russell stock's 20 yard shot beat Williams only to be stopped on the line by the hand of Gary Redgate. Unfortunately for Lynn the referee was unsighted and waved play on.
Tony Spearing shaved the bar after exchanging passes with Steve Williams and McNamara beat the keeper only to drift wide and see his shot blocked.
The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides making mistakes and chance at a premium.
The best fell to Hudson after the only flowing move of the game.
Matthew Wright cleared to stand-in wing-back Jason Pascoe (switched following injury to Martin Matthews). He found Craig Hopkins and his flick sent Hudson clear.
A goal looked a certainty when Hudson swept the ball past Williams but it trickled agonisingly wide of the far post.
Lynn's only moment of worry came in the 86th minute when Robbie Ellison turned Colin Hoyle on the edge of the area and sent a shot crashing into the outside of the stanchion.
Lynn: Hollman, Matthews (Roberts 70), Skelly, Wright, Hoyle, Spearing, Pascoe, Stock (Mead 78) Williams (Hopkins 71), McNamara, Hudson.
Adders: Williams, Young, Martin, Wileman, Albrighton, Redgate, Murphy, Middleton, Shearer (Hart 87), Green (Sinden 78), Ellison. Sub (not used) Coogan
| MATCH STATISTICS | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings |
| Lynn | 5 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 9 | |
| Atherstone | 3 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 16 | Albrighton (foul, 45) |