King's Lynn 1 AP Leamington 1
28th April 1984
A Southern League season which at one time promised so much for the Linnets is coming to a disappointing end.
And Saturday's draw with the Midlands side mirrored in one match what has happened over the recent months.
The Linnets got themselves into a winning position and then let it slip away.
Since Christmas when the Linnets lead the Southern League Premier Division table by eight points, they have gone downhill - only 17 points taken from a possible 54.
With the hot sun on their backs as a reminder of the recent Italian trip, the Linnets made a bright start before their shirt-sleeved fans in this final Walks fixture.
Four corners in quick succession gave a promise of a lively game and some penetrating run by Mark Howard on the left kept up the pressure on Leamington.
In the 36th minute it was Howard's speed which opened the way for the first goal. He got by full back Terry Smith and crossed to the far post where Chris Watts headed down and Martin Coupe turned in a close range.
Although Andy Claxton bravely blocked a shot from Kim Casey just afterwards, there had been little threat from Leamington and Lynn looked in a good position.
Coupe went close to adding a second when he volleyed just over the bar in the 48th minute.
But Leamington settled to their task when Alan Ollis sent Casey through it needed a superb one-handed save from Claxton to prevent an equaliser. Lynn did not heed the warning and seemed content to sit on their lead.
Leamington still had to wait some time for their equaliser. When it came, in the 83rd minute, inevitably the hard-working Casey was involved as he provided the deep cross from the right which Cliff Campbell put away with a header into the corner of the net.
Coupe had an inspired last five minutes and so nearly won it back for the Linnets. When he turned in a low shot it beat the dive of keeper Micky Lawrence to find Jim Kabia lurking on the far post - but somehow the striker managed to side-foot the ball back along the line straight to the keeper when it seemed impossible to miss.
To minutes from the end Coupe cleverly turned his marker and whipped in an angled shot which again beat Lawrence and dipped over the bar.
A frustrating end for players and supporters alike.
Lynn: Claxton: McJannet, Cockrill, Foster, Wiles: Easthall, Adams, Watts, Howard: Kabia, Coupe. sub Johnston.
A P Leamington: Lawrence: Smith Shannaham, Boxall, Webb, Ollis, Mackenzie, Casey, Downes, Campbell, Shearer: sub Griffin.
Referee: B Smith (Leicester) Attendance: 250.