Lincoln City fell to a narrow 0-1 loss at the hands of Ipswich Town at LNER Stadium in Sky Bet League One action this Saturday afternoon.
The only goal of the game came after 30 minutes and was surrounded with controversy, as Macauley Bonne appeared to blatantly foul TJ Eyoma before planting a header past Josh Griffiths.
The Imps were then unable to break through a visiting side who were satisfied to defend their narrow lead for the remaining hour and return to Suffolk with all three points.
Team News:
In his press conference ahead of this afternoon’s match, Appleton stated options at centre-half may be limited due to a number of injury concerns, eventually opting to start with the pairing of Lewis Montsma and TJ Eyoma.
Making up the rest of the back four was Regan Poole and Cohen Bramall, who replaced Jamie Robson at left-back.
In midfield, Ted Bishop started to face his former club, alongside Lewis Fiorini and club captain, Liam Bridcutt.
The Imps front three was then made up of Tom Hopper and Chris Maguire, alongside this seasons top scorer, Anthony Scully.
Kick-Off:
Lincoln City got the match underway from kick-off and started brightly. In the 3rd minute, the Imps managed to work the ball well down the left with Cohen Bramall who tested the Ipswich defence early with a low cross which they were able to clear.
2 minutes later and at the other end, Macauley Bonne was fractionally off the pace as his outstretched leg failed to connect with a teasing cross from close range.
The following passages of play saw very few clear cut opportunities created, however the home side appeared to be the more threatening.
Appleton’s side managed to force a number of corners and had several efforts blocked from within the Town penalty area.
However it was the visitors who controversially took the lead on the half hour mark via a Bonne header. The Town striker seemed to blatantly push Eyoma to the floor before planting his effort past Josh Griffiths in the Lincoln net.
Lincoln City supporters, players and staff were in uproar at the officials for failing to spot the foul in the build-up, with Benjamin Speedie waving away complaints and awarding the goal.
After the deadlock was broken, it was the visitors who continued to threaten and ask the most serious questions. Only moments before the goal Town rattled the crossbar from a deflection following a corner, and soon after they took the lead Lewis Montsma was required to prevent Bersant Celina from close range with a lunging tackle.
The Imps managed to withstand the pressure late in the half, and entered the break a goal down.
It was during this time that Michael Appleton had the opportunity to approach the referee regarding the decision to award the goal. A conversation which resulted in the Imps boss receiving a yellow card for his complaints.
Halftime: Lincoln City 1-0 Ipswich Town
The second half saw Lincoln City start the quickest again, with the Imps thinking they’d levelled proceedings 3 minutes after the restart when Regan Poole arrived at the back-post to poke home a Lewis Fiorini cross. The Lincoln defender had done so from an office position however, and the celebrations were quick cut short.
The visiting side were defensively solid throughout the second half, but seemed to be so at the expense of any attacking threat as they created very little throughout the second 45 minutes.
The closest they came was midway through the second half when Wes Burns was on hand to tap in a cut-back, but for the late intervention of Cohen Bramall who cut out the danger.
It was left to the Imps therefore, to find a way to break through a resolute Ipswich backline. For the most part, Lincoln’s most threatening outlet was Bramall at fullback, who’s consistent overlaps opened up numerous opportunities for crosses and regularly asked questions of Ipswich’s right flank.
Unfortunately for Appleton and his side however, Bramall’s persistence was unrewarded and despite a number of efforts from outside the 18-yard box, the Imps couldn’t find a way through a crowded Ipswich backline.
Full Time: Lincoln City 0-1 Ipswich Town.
The result leaves Lincoln City 16th in the division, with their next fixture being a trip to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, September 25, to face Burton Albion. Ipswich on the other hand rose to 19th following their victory.