Lincoln United suffered a fourth straight defeat as Alex Troke’s double helped Bedworth United to a 3-1 win at Ashby Avenue.
On a cold and wet afternoon, the Whites took an early lead through Matt Cotton as they looked to end their recent run of defeats.
But Troke scored either side of half time alongside one from Levi Rowley as the visitors came from behind to take all three points on a gloomy day that mirrored the morale of the Whites’ players following four straight defeats.
Sam Wilkinson made a couple of changes from his side’s last home against Alvechurch two weeks ago. Jack Wightwick replaced the injured Luke Hornsey, while Ryan Oliver came in for Jack McGovern who was recently released by the club.
And the home side got off to a dream start when a cross from Kallum Smith found its way in the centre to Matt Cotton who rifled home from close range in just the fourth minute.
The Whites remained in the ascendancy for the opening stages of the game, and they could have been two in front but for Oliver’s missed header – Smith a constant threat from the left flank with his link up play and pinpoint crossing.
But Bedworth got into the game as it progressed and, after Rowley forced a good save from Phil McGann, they bagged their equaliser midway through the half. Intricate passing between their strikers beat the Whites defence, and Troke fired high beyond the ‘keeper after being sent through on goal.
Lincoln responded well to going behind; forcing a couple of good saves from the Bedworth ‘keeper Dan Crane, but yet again the home side’s dominance was short lived as Bedworth began to get a stronger influence on the game.
A couple minutes before half time, Bedworth took the lead for the first time as a quickly taken free kick from midfield found an unmarked Rowley; who had enough time to control the ball and pick his spot in the bottom corner.
The second half began where the first left off; and Bedworth further extended their lead just two minutes after the break. The home side lost possession in the middle of the park allowing for a quick Bedworth counter which was neatly finished by Troke with his right foot.
After scoring their third, the away side looked very much in control of the game and dominated possession for most parts of the remainder.
Much of the second half was devoid of chances, the heavy pitch taking a pounding by the weather and taking its toll on players’ legs.
The closest Lincoln came to threatening Crane’s goal was a tame shot from distance by Wightwick which was comfortably saved.
At the other end, Rowley had a chance to score his second of the day but narrowly scooped his shot over the bar in the last five minutes as the game meandered away into a comfortable away win.
For the Whites, it’s four straight defeats and tests don’t come much tougher than the visit of runaway league leaders Basford United on Wednesday evening.