Ten Of The All-Time Worst Refereeing Decisions To Go Against Lincoln City

2: Egil Ostenstad’s dive

John Beck’s Lincoln had already knocked Manchester City out of the Coca-Cola Cup and drawn 2-2 at The Dell when Southampton came to Sincil Bank for the third-round replay on 12 November 1996. In front of 10,523, Gareth Ainsworth’s early goal put the fourth-tier Imps within reach of a Premier League scalp, and we were still leading with 15 minutes remaining.

Then Egil Ostenstad went down in the penalty area with Jason Barnett nearby, and referee Terry Heilbron awarded Southampton a penalty. Jim Magilton converted before two late goals gave the visitors a 3-1 victory, ending our hopes of another giant-killing and the further cup income that would have been so valuable to Beck’s side. The sense of injustice was fierce, and the subsequent correspondence makes this more than a case of supporters seeing an incident through red-and-white eyes.

Rob Bradley, editor of The Yellow Belly fanzine, wrote to Ostenstad accusing him of a theatrical dive, demanding an explanation and even wishing Southampton relegation. To his credit, Ostenstad sent a handwritten reply: “I fully agree with you that the situation didn’t qualify for a penalty.” He said he had been equally surprised by the award, but denied trying to fake a foul, explaining that he and the defender had both fallen during their duel.

His verdict was that the referee had made a mistake, and he finished by wishing us well despite Bradley’s rather less generous message. It was a remarkable admission, but no consolation for a cup run ended by a penalty even its beneficiary accepted should never have been given.