Lincoln City’s recent woeful run of form continued at the hands of Gillingham on Saturday afternoon after the Imps were thrashed 4-0 at Sincil Bank.
Former City loanee Josh Gowling got the rout underway after 20 minutes before Cody McDonald, on loan at the Gills from Norwich, continued his prolific season by netting his 22nd this term just before the break.
Things didn’t improve for Steve Tilson’s side after half time. Danny Hone directed the ball into his own goal on the hour mark to increase the deficit and striker Adebayo Akinfenwa compounded the misery for City with 20 minutes still to play.
Tilson had welcomed Ashley Grimes and Luke Howell back into his starting line-up for the game, in what looked like a much stronger team than that which has faltered in recent weeks.
However neither Howell or goalscoring Grimes could ease the club’s relegation worries, which have only been enhanced by the day’s football.
Not only did City lose, but fellow relegation candidates Barnet won again, this time at home to mid-table Crewe Alexandra 2-1. The gap between the Imps and the relegation zone is now just five points, with five games remaining.
If there was a positive to the day for Lincoln, it was that 21st place Northampton lost 4-2 at home to Bury. Stockport and Burton Albion, in 24th and 22nd position respectively, picked up a point each in their fixtures.
City next travel to the aforementioned Crewe and need to start picking up points if they are to avoid being sucked through the Football League trapdoor.