Lincoln City let a 1-0 half time lead slip as they succumbed to top of the league Wrexham in a game which turned on the bizarre on Tuesday, March 12th, 2013.
As the game settled, Lincoln made themselves known to Wrexham, competing and going toe to toe with the league leaders impressively, although Wrexham’s Kevin Thornton showed glimpses of class with a decent touch and ability to beat his man.
Lincoln, much like the game against Southport, showed attacking class from the outset, and that threat almost turned into something more as Jamie Taylor hit the post and a second effort fired into the box was left untouched.
However, it was unlikely that a side at the top of the table like Wrexham would stay out of the final third for long, and they challenged the quality of Farman as he calmly shepherded an attack out of play without conceding a penalty, despite a number of appeals.
Wrexham began to exert more pressure, winning battles in midfield, but Lincoln continued to put men through on goal. Alan Power scuffed the ball inches wide after deliberating when clean through on goal.
Lincoln’s quality was then made to count. On 33 minutes, a Power corner was flicked on by Diagne, only to be turned in by Westwood. With this shock lead however, Wrexham were stunned into life for the remainder of the half.
Bad blood ensued as Thornton appeared to push Jake Jones over an advertising hoarding, earning himself a yellow, and Jones predictably and immediately achieved his revenge, bundling the tricky Thornton down outside the box.
Wrexham finished the half strongly as a Farman thwarted an attack from open play comfortably, and more perilously palmed away a Thornton free kick low to his right.
The second half started with a succession of traded opportunities for both teams. Hobson missed a chance within minutes from a whipped in delivery, and former Premier League footballer Brett Ormerod was unable to net for Wrexham shortly afterwards.
Lincoln looked set to remain on top of the league leaders as a nifty run from Taylor led to a clever move from Jake Jones, but the space he negotiated was wasted as he blazed over.
It was then that the game was decided in five minutes, which Gary Simpson and Paul Farman in particular will hope to forget.
On 61 minutes, Ormerod netted from a miscued Clarke shot, and Lincoln were duly rocked. Adebola and Ormerod began to influence the game and Lincoln’s defence began working harder in order to keep them at bay.
It was then on 66 minutes that Paul Farman was deceived by a bobble when going to clear the ball falling to Dele Adebola at 35 yards out. While there seemed no immediate danger, Adebola thought otherwise and pinged in a curling, dipping shot which agonisingly beat the frantic Paul Farman into the net.
The game after that point became all about Lincoln chasing, and it was painfully evident Wrexham had gained the upper hand. Wrexham’s Little wasted an effort from ten yards, and Lincoln had a half-chance to turn a header in late on, but in truth Wrexham controlled the game after five minutes which shaped Lincoln’s night.