King's Lynn 2 Corby Town 2
26th December 1984
Colin Foster preserved Lynn's unbeaten home record with a Boxing Day birthday goal.The player-manager struck with a timely header just when the game appeared to be slipping away.
Corby, much changed since beaten by The Linnets in the FA Cup, eased into a deserved 2-1 lead with two goals in eight minutes.
Lynn won a free-kick on the left and the floated centre from Steve Hines deceived the keeper who was then beaten by Foster's firm header.
"I was expecting to be clobbered by the goalkeeper but he seemed unsure where to go," said Foster afterwards.
There were still some late scares after his 70th minute equaliser and Lynn went off somewhat relieved at gaining a point.
All afternoon the Linnets had looked uncomfortable when the Steelmen pushed forward and on the balance of play Corby will be disappointed they did not repeal the Southern League win achieved at The Walks last season.
After 20 minutes it was still goalless, but Corby could have been leading 4-2.
It was that sort of game.
Lynn had been kept out by keeper Kevin Johnston who made two fine saves from Kevin Ready and Richard Johnston. But in the 30th minute he was helpless as Martin Coupe turned in a near post header from Ready's corner.
Corby continued to show flair and it took a goalline clearance from Freddie Easthall to deny Dennis Milenkovic an equaliser.
Ready, whose hat-trick knocked Corby out of the Cup, could have given Lynn a useful two-goal advantage when he broke through in the first minute of the second half, but Johnston saved at his feet.
The Steelmen tightened their grip in mid-field and the sharpness around the sharpness by centre forward Shaun Driver brought him goals in the 61st and 69th minutes.
Corby had been so much on top, finding acres of space, they looked set to dominate, but Foster had other ideas.
Richard Johnston and Jem Palmer were hooked in a gate where there was little Christmas goodwill as the tackles flew in.
Lynn: (4-3-3): Claxton. Mercer, Johnston, Watts, Easthall: Ippolitto, Foster, Hines, Ready, Twigger (sub Howard 82 mins), Coupe.
Corby: Johnston, Leech, Kelly, Palmer, Bradshaw, Hall, Flanagan. Milenkovic. Diver, Walker, Hafbauer. Sub Hamill.
Referee. R. Pawley (Cambridge). Attendance: 660.