A fantastic hat-trick from on-loan striker Ashley Grimes earned Lincoln City a 4-3 victory over fellow strugglers Stockport County at Edgeley Park.
City, who were on the wrong end of another seven-goal thriller two weeks ago against Hereford United, remain in the League Two drop zone, but will be buoyed by their first win in seven attempts—they last tasted victory on November 20th last year.
Steve Tilson’s side took the lead after just five minutes, with Grimes grabbing the first of his three strikes. County replied midway through the first half through Adam Griffin but a first half stoppage time goal from Adam Watts meant that City went into half time ahead.
Grimes’ second extended the lead on the hour mark, but David Poole pegged the Imps back again just a couple of minutes later. Lincoln were determined not to relinquish their two goal advantage though, and Grimes completed his hat trick on 65 minutes to make the score 4-2.
A Watts own goal 15 minutes from time meant City had to endure a nervy last quarter of an hour, but they held on to claim all three points.
Tilson made four changes to the side that lost at home to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend. New loan signings Trevor Carson and Stephen Hunt made their debuts at the expense of goalkeeper Joe Anyon and Paul Green respectively.
Moses Swaibu was also relegated to the bench in favour of the returning Watts and Mustapha Carayol came in for Albert Jarrett. Carayol did though have to be withdrawn during the first half after picking up a groin injury.
Next up for the Imps is a visit to an in-form Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night. The Robins currently sit just outside the play-off places in League Two and won 1-0 at Port Vale this afternoon.