Lincoln City slipped to a heavy 4-1 home defeat at the hands of relegation threatened Crewe Alexandra.
Despite a lacklustre first half showing, the Imps took the lead through Michael Bostwick’s first half header but Harry Pickering’s brilliant free-kick levelled on the stroke of half time.
But three second half goals, including a brace for Jordan Bowery and a penalty from Paul Green secured the points for the Railwaymen.
Lincoln stayed in eighth but the gap to the play-offs was extended to four points, while Crewe moved up three places to 18th and six points clear of the drop.
Both sides came into the game on the back of defeats. Crewe were beaten on Tuesday night by Exeter City, which knocked the Imps out of the top seven, while City lost at Crawley a week ago.
Danny Cowley made three changes to the side that lost to Crawley. Sean Long came back in to the starting line up following an injury to Neil Eardley. Lee Frecklington replaced Scott Wharton, meaning Michael Bostwick dropped back in to the centre of defence and Danny Rowe returned to midfield after recovering from a side strain.
Lincoln City had the first big chance of the game in the 8th minute. Rowe weaved his way through the Crewe defence and caused havoc in the six yard box with a cross that was tipped out by goalkeeper Ben Garrett straight in to the path of Matt Rhead who should have put the Imps ahead.
Shaun Miller had the away side’s first opportunity but his right footed long-shot didn’t trouble Ryan Allsop in the City goal.
On the half hour mark, a long throw-in from Sam Habergham fell to Lee Frecklington on the edge of the box but he hit the ball as it was rising and couldn’t keep the shot down.
City took the lead after 35 minutes. Habergham’s free-kick picked out Luke Waterfall and Bostwick was there to head home from the six yard box.
However the lead didn’t last long and on the stroke of half-time, Crewe were back in the game. Pickering produced a perfect left footed free-kick from 20 yards out to bring the away side level in the Sincil Bank sunshine.
One goal each was probably a fair reflection on the game at half-time with neither side really producing their best football. Cowley changed things round during the break taking off Tom Pett and replacing him with Harry Anderson. The second half performance would have to be decidedly better if the Imps wanted to take all three points.
But it couldn’t have begun much worse for City, and the Railwaymen took the lead in the 48th minute through Bowery following a good pass from Shaun Miller.
Moments later the Imps were up the other end claiming a penalty as it appeared Rhead was pulled to the floor in the area but referee, Carl Boyeson, turned down the appeal from the City front man.
The second half went from bad to worse for Lincoln as Crewe scored a third in the 54th minute. Miller was judged to have been fouled in the box by Bostwick and Green stepped up to convert the penalty.
And it was game over after 68 minutes as the Railwaymen grabbed their fourth. The away side produced a rapid counter-attack following a City corner which resulted in Bowery slotting the ball past Allsop to give Crewe all three points.
Lincoln didn’t look like getting back in to the game but that didn’t stop the 617 squadron who continued to sing the team and Cowley’s praises until the final whistle, despite a few fans leaving with 20 minutes to go.
Ollie Palmer almost scored a consolation goal just before full-time with a volley from inside the box but he failed to keep the shot down.
Lincoln never got to the levels fans have been used to seeing this season at Sincil Bank and Crewe were more than worthy of all the win on the day. Revenge is sweet for the Railwaymen who get payback for their own 4-1 defeat by Lincoln in November.
The Imps now have a week to recover and learn from their mistakes before an army of Imps fans head to Coventry next Saturday.