After Lincoln City recorded their first home win of the new season 1-0 against Barnet last Saturday there was expectation among the City camp that a victory over Accrington could be achieved.

Unfortunately those three vital points couldn’t be built on as the Imps were beaten 3-0 at the hands of an impressive Stanley side, who have started strongly so far this year.

Manager Chris Sutton was forced to make one change ahead of kick-off at the Fraser Eagle Stadium, replacing injured Clark Keltie with summer signing Josh O’Keefe.

Accrington were coming off the back of two draws against Wycombe and most recently Torquay. It was attacker Sean McConville who was quick to get on the score sheet against City, taking the lead for the Lancashire team on 17 minutes with an effort just outside the Imps’ penalty area that beat Joe Anyon to his bottom right hand corner.

Immediately after the restart Stanley improved their lead to a two goal advantage as Terry Gornell opened his account for the club placing his shot in to the top right corner leaving Anyon with little chance.

Lincoln boss Sutton decided not to make any changes to his side during the interval and it was a move that could’ve worked both ways — either change the complexity of the game or risk conceding another goal. It proved to be the latter as on 60 minutes Accrington got their third of the game and Gornell’s second after he fired home from close range.

Imps central midfielder Scott Kerr was sent off with 19 minutes remaining after a foul on Stanley substitute Chris Turner. But the City faithful knew they were heading home disappointed long before that moment after watching a poor display that leaves their side 16th in League Two.