September 1999: Terry Fleming (41) Macclesfield Town, 1-1
A booking for throwing the ball away proved costly for Terry Fleming as frustration spilt over at Sincil Bank. Within three minutes, the City captain had followed it with a badly timed challenge, prompting referee Trevor Parkes to produce a second yellow before the interval. Under increasing pressure himself, chairman-manager John Reames offered no excuses for Fleming, accepting that the tackle had left the official little choice.
Macclesfield went ahead shortly before the hour, but Dave Barnett’s header eight minutes from time salvaged a point for the ten men. It ended a sequence of four successive defeats, although City’s winless run stretched to nine matches. Barnett’s equaliser also helped ease the anger in the stands, with a threatened protest on the pitch failing to materialise after the final whistle.
February 2001: Steve Holmes (35) Macclesfield Town, 1-2
A foul on John Askey brought Steve Holmes’ evening to an end in the 35th minute, with City already trailing at Sincil Bank. Assistant manager George Foster described it as indiscipline, leaving the Imps to repair the damage of a poor start with ten men. He nevertheless praised the fighting response of those who remained on the pitch.
Darren Tinson had headed Macclesfield ahead after three minutes, but Lee Thorpe equalised in the 66th. James Dudgeon’s long ball left goalkeeper Lee Martin and Tinson stranded, allowing Thorpe to nip between them and finish. Chris Day subsequently saved an Askey header, only for the same player to drive home from 15 yards in the 89th minute. The late winner condemned City to a fourth consecutive league defeat.
August 2002: Simon Weaver (7) Carlisle United, 0-1
A Carlisle free-kick was still waiting to be taken when Simon Weaver and Richie Foran were sent off for an alleged fight after just seven minutes. Their simultaneous departures left the sides level at ten men, but the referee’s work was far from finished. Brian Shelley was later dismissed for striking Simon Yeo, while a late red for Trevor Molloy meant Carlisle finished with eight players.
Even those extra numbers could not spare City their first defeat of the season. Molloy’s 56th-minute penalty, awarded for Richard Logan’s handball, proved decisive, while Yeo squandered Lincoln’s chance to equalise from the spot after being pulled back in the area. His penalty struck a post and rolled across the goalmouth without going in, allowing Carlisle to escape Sincil Bank with a remarkable 1-0 victory.
Comments Welcome!