Stamford 2 Lynn 3 (aet)

27th February 2001

LINNETS reached the League Cup semi-final for the second successive year, but the tie was overshadowed early on by a sickening injury to wing-back Jamie March.
After 12 minutes March went up for a header and fell awkwardly on his arm, resulting in a dislocated right elbow and broken forearm.
The game was delayed by 20 minutes as a stretcher was not available and an ambulance was called.
Manager Tony Spearing stood by March, who underwent surgery in Peterborough General Hospital on Wednesday morning to have a plate inserted in his arm.
"He's a good lad to have about the club. Two Lynn fans went to visit him, which was nice," said Spearing.
"It looks like he's out for the season and it's a massive blow as he's always in the first 11.
"I want him here next season and I told him that."
The Leicester-based player, who has already suffered a bad knee injury this season, was due to leave hospital yesterday.
The tie itself was an end-to-end cracker. Linnets came from behind twice and Lyndon Rowland fired in a last-gasp winner in extra-time stoppage time.
Pacy Stamford had plenty of chances to win it in normal time, especially when ex-Linnet Shaun Keeble missed an open goal..
"How many get out of jail cards do we need?" said Spearing after the game, with a mixture of relief and exasperation at having seven first-teamers out at that point.
"It was a great result, but it's cost us dear."
Depleted Lynn fielded midfield youngster Ross McNeil at right wing-back and after March's injury, Jon Palmer came on. Lynn reverted to a back four, who were given a torrid time by the quick-breaking hosts.
Midway through the first half the Daniels' David Staff hit the post and Craig Clark cleared off the line.
Unfortunately the Lynn centre-back, who with Glen Fuff defended brilliantly, blotted his copy book on the hour when a bad back pass let in Malcolm Ndekwe to round Chuck Martini and fire right footed into the roof of the net.
Palmer, Steve Lenagh, Rowland and Adie Hayes forced Steve Corry into saves.
Then, within a minute of Simon Bush coming on for debutant triallist Kristian Jones, the substitute converted a goalmouth scramble for his second goal in two games.
Both sides traded chances. On the break, Keeble's deflected effort hit the outside of the post late in normal time.
In the first period of extra time, Rowland stretched to volley inches over, but the dangerous Daniels went ahead when Fuff tackled Tom Betteridge and Ndekwe followed up for his second strike.
But in the fifth minute of the second period, Rowland dispossessed Craig Donaldson, who then needlessly fouled the Lynn forward, who had his back to goal, on the edge of the box.
Palmer slammed the penalty left-footed to Corry's left.
Bush missed a gaping goal mouth with a header before McNeil dribbled and set up the persevering Rowland.
He cut inside from the right and blasted in from the edge of the box with his left foot nearly a minute into injury time

Lynn: Martini, McNeil, Clark, Lenagh, Fuff, March (Palmer 13), Anderson, Hayes, Jones (Bush 73), Rowland, Puttnam (Suiter 82).
Stamford: S. Corry, A. Peak: (Challinor 57), C. Donaldson, N. Ashby, D. Clyde, M. Green, W. Donald (D Rhule 120), D. Staff, S. Keeble (R Bailey 90), M. Ndekwe, T. Betteridge.
Att: 210.

FACT file	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	8	7	3	4	12	Puttnam (22 flare-up)
Stamford	6	6	5	4	14	Clyde (22 flare-up)
Lynn News Man of the Match - Glen Fuff