Retford 1 King's Lynn 1
31st August 2009
TWO goals in the last eight minutes saw the Linnets share the Bank Holiday spoils at Retford yesterday.
Linnets substitute Anthony Robinson - relegated to the bench to make way for weekend signing Iyseden Christie - lobbed Lynn ahead in the 82nd minute, but the Badgers levelled less than four minutes later through Neil Harvey.
Christie partnered Gareth Sheldon up front, while Lynn's only other change from the side who drew 1-1 with Whitby Town was a forced one with Lewis Webb replacing the injured Matt Birley in the middle of the park.
Lynn bossed the majority of the first half and in the second minute Christie was fouled on the edge of the box and Gareth Sheldon's free-kick was deflected wide for a corner.
From the resulting kick, Craig Boyce rose above the Retford defence, only to see his header cleared off the line by Terry Barwick.
Lynn continued to control affairs and in the 14th minute Lynn's new-look strike force of Sheldon and Christie combined to set up Owen Story, who blasted over from inside the box.
Midway through the half Retford United keeper James Lindley denied Christie with a fine save to keep the score goalless.
Retford's only real effort of any note came eight minutes before the break but Danny Gay was alert to Chris Bettney's long-range pot.
The high-flying Badgers were a different proposition after the interval and Lynn had Gay to thank for keeping them in the match.
Lynn's Christie saw his effort palmed over the woodwork and Ryan Beswick's long-range effort also went close, but at the other end Gay was called upon to make a string of fine stops.
Robinson's sublime finish from an acute angle looked like ending Retford's four-match unbeaten run before Harvey raced through to fire past Gay with four minutes left on the clock.
Retford United: J. Lindley, L. Thompson, D. White, T. Barwick, N. Ellis, M. Simpkins, C. Bettney (R. Ford 86), P. Ellender, M. Godber (N. Harvey 70), D. Thomas (C. Marrison 85), P. Grimes. Subs not used: R. Hindley, C. Kingston.
Lynn: D. Gay, J. Magunda, Z. Martin, L. Webb, C. Boyce, L. Murray, O. Story (P. Green 70), C. Lloyd, G. Sheldon, I. Christie (A. Robinson 57), R. Beswick.
Subs not used: A. McAnally, C. McAughtrie and A. Johnson.
Referee: Mr P. Thompson (Chesterfield). Attendance: 442. MoM: Danny Gay