By Nathan Jackson
May 9 2004

The Imps have made the playoffs despite a 3-2 defeat to Yeovil. The Imps now face Huddersfield but Yeovil were unlucky not to join the Imps as Northampton beat Mansfield to take what many feel, over the season, is a very undeserved place that Yeovil should have had. The Imps kicked off in their new kit and attacking the Mundy Stand. The Imps had the first chance when a Mark Bailey free kick went over everyone and fell to Gary Fletcher, but Fletch who has been in poor form, failed to control the ball and it went out for a goal kick.

Yeovil's ex-Boston player, Simon Weatherstone had the next oppurtunity but his 25 yard shot went well wide.

Good work from Fletcher on the left saw the ball fall to Kevin Ellison who's deep cross was just too high for Francis Green's acrobatic attempt to connect with.

Darren Way had Yeovil's best chance of the first half but his 30 yard drive was hit straight at Marriott. It looked towards the end of the half that the Imps had finally broken their duck at the Mundy Stand end having not scored there since the Scunthorpe United game in February. Peter Gain went on one of his magical runs and broke inside the box. His shot hit Collis and went agonisingly wide.

The teams came out for the 2nd half and almost immediatly, Yeovil took the lead. A corner wasn't gathered by Marriott and the Imps couldn't clear as Stansfield struggled to get the ball under control but he finally put the ball away.

Yeovil's fans then let out a massive cheer indicating that Northampton were drawing with Mansfield which would mean Yeovil would make the playoffs with Northampton missing out and the Imps facing Mansfield.

City were struggling to get back into the game and paid for their mistakes as after a scamble in the box, the ball was smashed against the bar and hit Marriott's back and went in for 2-0 to the delirium of Yeovil fans.

City's fans began to taunt the Yeovil fans as news broke through saying that Northampton had taken the lead again meaning Yeovil wouldn't make the playoffs. Yeovil's misery was evedent as their fans just shut up for the first time in the match. The lack of backing was vital as Gary Fletcher broke through but couldn't control the ball but somehow managed to pass it to Yeo but his shot was blocked and it fell to Wilford who headed in his first goal for the Imps.

News came through the Cheltenham has equalised against Huddersfield which meant that Torquay were promoted to Division 2 and meaning that the team finishing 7th would play the Terriers.

The Imps then seemed to slam that door right on Yeovil's playoff hopes when good work down the right resulted in Yeo having an open goal to shoot in to send the Imps fans in estacy.

However, as many Imps fans were going down the bottom to prepare for the pitch invasion, Yeovil scored a 3rd as a free kick was missed by everyone and went straight through.

However, results elsewhere meant that Yeovil weren't in the playoffs unless they scored another 4.

So the playoff games are

Lincoln vs Huddersfield
Northampton vs Mansfield