Lincoln United continued their recent good form with a 4-1 win against Sheffield FC at Ashby Avenue.
First half goals from James Blunden and Paul Grimes gave the Whites a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Damien Magee pulled a goal back for ten man Sheffield FC, who also missed a penalty, but substitute Andy Toyne’s spot-kick and another goal for a Grimes sealed the three points for Lincoln and extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
While United have struggled for consistency this season they have shown signs of promise in recent weeks with a few good results pulling them clear from any relegation danger.
And on a fresh spring evening they were keen to continue their good form against Sheffield.
With barely a minute on the clock the Whites created their first opening. Matt Cotton laid the ball back to Rob Norris and with the keeper off his line Norris went for the lob but his shot was deflected over the bar.
However, soon after, Lincoln did find the net. Norris turned provider, swinging a dangerous free kick into the penalty area which Blunden headed into the bottom corner.
The Whites were in control against a Sheffield side who up to this point, had shown of plenty of endeavour but end product worthy of their position at the bottom of the league table.
Meanwhile, United made their dominance count, doubling their lead on 25 minutes. Sheffield goalkeeper Matthew Yates initially made a good save at his front post but Grimes was on hand for Lincoln to fire the rebound into the back of the net.
Things only got worse for the visitors on the half hour mark when Adam Chapman was sent off – it wasn’t clear why he was given his marching orders.
Lincoln looked set to go on and add more goals before the break but Sheffield rallied. Andrew Gascoigne showed some quick feet in the penalty area and was taken down by a Lincoln defender. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Grant Ryan took responsibility for the away side from the penalty spot but his effort was kept out brilliantly by Whites keeper Michael Emery – diving at full stretch to his left to parry the ball away and preserve his side’s two goal lead.
Despite being a man down, Sheffield were much improved and continued to search for a way back into the game.
And just after half-time they found it. The ball broke to left-back Damien Magee on the edge of the penalty area and he drove it back through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner of the goal. The most unlikeliest of comebacks was on.
To their credit Sheffield made life very uncomfortable for Lincoln in the early stages of the second half but couldn’t force an equaliser.
And with just over 20 minutes left, they were made to pay. Lincoln winger Kallum Smith was tripped in the penalty area and substitute Andy Toyne fired the resulting spot-kick into the net to restore the Whites’ two goal advantage.
3-1 soon became 4-1. Another United substitute Jack Wightwick was involved this time, curling in a delightful cross which Paul Grimes headed back across the helpless Sheffield goalkeeper and into the net.
Lincoln threatened to scored more in the closing stages but had to settle for just the four goals on another satisfying night for Sam Wilkinson’s side.