Banbury United 2 King's Lynn 3

24th October 1981

Richard Johnston grabbed victory for Lynn at Banbury on Saturday with a goal two minutes from the end of a pulsating FA Trophy clash
Lynn led for much of the game thanks to a penalty after 23 minutes from Freddie Easthall after home defender Dick Pratley had dragged down Dave Burrows, but Banbury his back in the second half and led 2-1 with only seven minutes left.
Then Chris Watts followed up to head home for the equaliser after Paul Chapman's header had rebounded off the bar and with only two minutes left Johnston moved upfield for a corner and slammed the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.
Lyn should not have need their fight-back to give them a place in the second qualifying round as they should have been ahead by more than one goal at the break after dominating most of the first half.

Mark Boyland hit the bar for Banbury after 16 minutes but once Easthall had netted from the spot, it was all Lynn with Watts, Easthall and Adams all having clear cut chances for the visitors.
The early stages of the second half saw Lynn keep up the pressure as Burrows' shot was kicked clear by home defender Clark and Ray Elliot's free kick was deflected off the defensive wall just over the bar.
But Banbury came back with a goal after 66 minutes from Nick Hunt after Mick Drewery ad failed to hold a shot from Boyland and then Pratley headed Banbury in front after 72 minutes from a corner and very much against the run of play.
It looked as though Lynn had paid the penalty for missing those earlier chances as Waldock cleared off the line from Easthall and keeper Steve Robinson saved at full stretch from Burrows.
But in the end Banbury's defence cracked as the late goals from Watts and Johnston saw Lynn to victory.
Banbury United: Robinson, Evans, Clark, Waldock, Pratley, Woodland, O'Dowd, Boyland, Hunt, Pearson, Emsden. Sub: Boscott
Lynn: Drewery, Wilson, Wiles, Watts, Bircumshaw, Johnston, Easthall, Adams, Chapman, Elliott, Burrows. Sub: Skelton.