Gainsborough Trinity 2 King's Lynn 0
26th December 2008
THE Linnets were left to rue missed chances as opposing striker Luke Beckett won this Boxing Day Clash almost single-handedly.
Beckett struck in both halves to inspire Gainsborough to only their second victory of the season on home soil - their first at the Northolme since mid-September.
The former Huddersfield man, scorer of 145 league goals in 350 appearances, headed home a Gareth Davies cross in first-half injury time, before doubling the lead minutes into the second half from a Ryan Mallon centre.
Linnets boss Keith Webb said: "The difference on the day was Luke Beckett.
"We were a lot better than the Burscough game, but we were lightweight in and around the penalty box.
"Joe Francis had as good a game as he's had all season in this league."
Trinity boss Steve Charles admitted his side were lucky to escape a barrage of early Lynn pressure.
"We didn't carve out too many chances all afternoon," said Charles.
"But Luke (Beckett) did well to get on to the end of two balls into the box which won us the game.
"That's the making of a true goalscorer and Luke's goals helped swing the game in our favour."
The hosts survived a torrent of early pressure and were grateful to Ian Ross for his eighth-minute goalline clearance, hooking a dangerous cross from Joe Francis under his own crossbar.
It was Beckett who enjoyed the first clear-cut chance of the half, only for Linnets goalkeeper Scott Howie to produce a miraculous save at point-blank range.
Lynn's Bradley Thomas saw his effort blocked by home goalkeeper Adam Sollitt, while Francis continued to be a constant thorn in Gainsborough's side.
Beckett glanced home an inviting Davies cross in the third minute of first-half stoppage time to give the hosts a lucky 1-0 lead at the break.
Eleven minutes after the restart Mallon's cross-shot was touched home by Beckett, who sneaked in unchallenged to register his sixth goal in just four games.
Linnets substitute Julian Joachim flashed a header wide before Ben Sedgemore, a late replacement for Ben Chapman, struck a 40-yard thunderbolt into the arms of a grateful Sollitt.
Gainsborough Trinity: A. Sollitt, R. Greenwood, M. Drury, B. Wilson, N. Ellis, S. Anson (R. Mallon 36), G. Davies, I. Ross, L. Beckett, L. McMahon, C. Hall.
Subs not used: C. Marrison, N. Stafford, M. Austin, J. Cullingworth.
Bookings: Beckett. Goals: Beckett 45, 56.
Lynn: Howie, Graham, Chapman (Sedgemore 80), Thomas, Crane, Smith, Frew (Turner 66), Mitchell (Joachim 58), Defty, Fisk, Francis. Subs not used: Weaver, Murray.
Bookings: Francis, Chapman, Frew, Defty.
Referee: Ryan Newman (Barnsley). Attendance: 526. MoM: Joe Francis.