Memory Match: Lincoln City’s Late Charge at Brisbane Road, March 1997

City’s fading promotion dream flickered back to life in East London as John Beck’s patched-up side battled to a dramatic 3-2 win over Leyton Orient in March, 1997.

It was a bruising, breathless afternoon at Brisbane Road, the sort that defined Beck’s Lincoln in that era: full of heart, power, and defiance against the odds.

The Imps arrived in London clinging to faint hopes of reaching the play-offs, needing both results elsewhere and a performance of their own to stay in contention. Seven of their ten rivals stumbled, but Lincoln stood tall, grinding out a victory that owed everything to stamina and spirit rather than finesse.

Third Division Play Off Race, March 21st 1997

For all its rough edges, this was compelling fare. Beck’s men, shorn of several regulars including Mark Hone, Jon Whitney, and Stuart Bimson, leaned on muscle and mindset to outlast their hosts. And with rumours swirling that Gareth Ainsworth was being courted by Wigan Athletic, plenty of travelling supporters made the journey to see him—just in case it proved to be one of his last games in red and white.

Those supporters were rewarded early. Barely three minutes had passed when Ainsworth converted from the penalty spot after Colin Alcide was fouled by Dave Morrison. The joy was tempered when Alcide, hurt in the challenge, had to be replaced by Steve Brown, but the substitute brought energy and drive, fresh from a confidence-building loan at Dover Athletic.

Orient eventually settled and began to threaten. Carl Griffiths missed two headed chances, Martin Ling blazed wide, and Barry Richardson twice came to the rescue, notably saving from Andy Arnott’s crisp effort before the interval. The keeper was called into action seconds after the restart too, turning Morrison’s low shot wide, but he could do little when Scott McGleish’s header hit a post and Arnott pounced for the equaliser.

Lincoln’s response was swift. Phil Stant went close with an overhead kick before the returning Brown restored the lead, twisting inside a crowded box to fire past Paul Hyde after the Orient defence failed to deal with Terry Fleming’s long throw.

Beck’s side were resilient, with Kevin Austin and Jason Barnett superb at the back and Fleming, Tony Dennis, and Worrell Sterling scrapping for every ball in midfield. Yet the drama was far from over. Chris Timmons bundled home a late leveller for Orient with nine minutes to play, setting up a frantic finale.

But this time, fortune favoured the visitors. Five minutes from time, Dennis’s corner was only half-cleared, and Phil Stant’s shot squirmed through Hyde’s legs to clinch victory. It was Lincoln’s first win at Brisbane Road since 1960, and it sparked joyous scenes between players and fans at full-time.

Beck’s Battlers

Afterwards, John Beck could scarcely hide his pride in a performance built on sheer determination.

“It was a ragtag and bobtail side we had to send out really,” he said. “No Mark Hone, John Whitney or Stuart Bimson, and then we lost Colin Alcide early on. But the lads battled and battled and they got a result. It wasn’t a particularly good performance, but in the circumstances, it was very pleasing.”

Beck praised his young squad for their commitment, adding that the passion they showed would one day make them “a force to be reckoned with.” The win was Lincoln’s sixth away success of the campaign, lifting them to 12th in the table and within five points of the play-off places.

“We’ll keep fighting until the very end,” Beck promised. “We’ve got two matches next weekend, and if we can take points from those, we could be right back in the picture.”

Lincoln City team: Barry Richardson, Jason Barnett, Steve Holmes, Tony Dennis, Grant Brown, Kevin Austin, Gareth Ainsworth, Terry Fleming, Phil Stamp, Worrell Sterling, Colin Alcide. Substitutes: Steve Brown (for Alcide, 40), Jon Robertson, Jae Martin.

Third Division Play Off Race, March 23rd 1997