Impish behaviour

United lost 1-0 at Sincil Bank yesterday to an injury time goal from Lee Thorpe. Anyone who left the game early would have missed all the main talking points as after the goal referee Scott Mathieson lost control of the game. Firstly his hesitancy to blow for a free kick led to a clash between Thorpe and Wayne Hatswell which saw both players earn red cards after a mass brawl involving every player on the pitch. Shortly afterwards an incident involving Martin Thomas and Lincoln goalkeeper Alan Marriott saw the most appalling display of gamesmanship (aka cheating) by the young goalie leading to a red card for Thomas. Hatswell and Thomas are now both looking at three game suspensions, starting at Hartlepool.

Thomas had been recalled for Paul Tait, who didn't even make the bench, and, as expected, Jon Richardson deputised for the suspended Phil Bolland. Jamie Brooks came on for Dave Savage, Paul Powell replaced Manny Omoyinmi and the final substitution saw ROS Rob Folland come on for Sam Ricketts. As well as sending off Hatswell and Thomas the referee also booked Scott Guyett for a late tackle. This was Guyett's fourth booking of the season and so he has one more to go before suspension. The attendance was a measly 3,124 (the lowest of the day) and a bitter and twisted match report appears here.

As a result of this defeat United have slipped to 17th in the table, one place below Lincoln. Luton remain top courtesy of their 2-0 win at Scunthorpe (United's next league opponents) whilst Carlisle are now bottom following their 1-0 defeat at Exeter and Hartlepool's 3-0 win over York. There were no ex-Us on the scoresheet yesterday in the football league or the Conference, although Simon Weatherstone at Boston is apparently interesting Premiership Bolton Wanderers, who are considering a bid for United's formerly most technically gifted player (© Mike Ford).