The Linnets marked their first ever visit to Irchester's Alfred Street ground by empahtically notching their third UCL 'double' of the campaign.

Lynn opted for a new-look 4-3-3 formation to give a more solid foundation. Patrick Bexfield was set to continue his new midfield role.

After a quiet opening Lynn took a ninth-minute lead following a foul conceded by Campbell.

From Jamie Thurlbourne's pin- point free-kick, Jack Defty rose to power home a header, giving Cross in the Romans' goal no chance.

Just two minutes later it was Defty again with a header as this time he stooped low to beat Cross at his near post after Jamie Thurlbourne had touched on Stephen Spriggs' low driven ball.

Lynn were now well in control of the game and twice more Defty went close with a shot and a header from which Cross made a good save.

Little was seen of the Romans in attack where McNeil and Stone were coping well with their isolated attacks. Their best efforts came from full-back Glass who fired high over, with a further chance falling to Chong who shot horribly wide with only Street to beat.

Just before the interval Referee Connolly produced the first yellow cards of the game, Danny White for a high challenge and Irchester's Mark Hackett for a foul tackle.

From the resulting free-kick Cross just got a fingertip to Jamie Thurlbourne's blistering kick to tip the ball onto a post, to bring the half to close with Lynn two goals up.

The second half began with Lynn again well in control, Defty forcing the first save from Cross.

Seven minutes in, Defty completed his hat-trick, controlling the ball well to shoot hard and low past Cross after good build-up play by Bexfield.

Defty next turned provider, setting up Danny White who hit the bar with a piledriver.

Just after the hour mark, two more players went into the referee's book – Jamie Thurlbourne saw yellow for dissent and Irchester's Alan Campbell was dismissed for foul and abusive language. Scott Cubberley, having replaced Jamie Thurlbourne, forced a good save from Cross and another Lynn free-kick hit the woodwork.

Doherty replaced White and the two subs combined to set Steve Spriggs racing clear to cut in and slot past the advancing Cross.

Bexfield brought the best from Cross with two good efforts on target while an isolated home raid saw Stone make a good tackle to disposess Chong.

In the final minute Luke Thurlbourne received the ball some 30 yards out and crashed the ball past Cross for a spectacular goal.

• Lynn: Street, Buhlemann, Alsop, L.Thurlbourne, McNeil, Stone, Spriggs, White (Doherty), J.Defty (Harris), Bexfield, J Thurlebourne (Cubberley).

• Irchester: Cross, Cottingham, Glass, Hackett, Maude, P Caswell, Chong, Forbes, Goodall, Campbell, Mills.

• Attendance: 188.