Ahead of kick-off, Lincoln City fans were pleased to see the teams injury problems starting to ease, with Joe Walsh and Conor McGrandles returning to the starting line-up.
The visiting Charlton Athletic sat in 21st ahead of kick-off, but were coming into the game off of the back of consecutive wins. A team of established names with buckets of experience across the EFL, they are underachieving in their current position.
Kick-off
The home side came out of the blocks fast with a well worked attack, Anthony Scully was unable to take the chance that resulted. Charlton won back possession and launched a rapid counterattack with a four on three on the break. They won a corner which was not capitalised on.
The referee had to briefly stop play in the 8th minute, as one of the 1,355 away fans threw a red smoke bomb onto the pitch just behind the goal at the Stacey West End. The stewards quickly cleared the pyrotechnic off the pitch and play was able to resume.
The visitors were forced into an early change in the 19th minute, as Luton Town loanee, Elliot Lee went off injured and was replaced by Corey Blackett- Taylor.
The Imps dominated much of the first half following this, with Lasse Sorensen and Anthony Scully, linking up well on the right to put pressure on the Charlton full-back; Pape Souare.
Just after 20 minutes, Charlton midfielder Harry Arter was shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Conor McGrandles, which left the Lincoln midfielder in a heap on the turf. Fortunately, he was able to continue.
Lasse Sorensen put a looping, first time effort just over the crossbar in the 27th minute, which was probably the best chance either side had created so far.
Lincoln City continued to dominate much of the play, the Charlton midfield seeming to struggle to compete with the hard-working Imps in the middle of the park.
The game fell very quiet just before half time and neither side was able to create a clear chance.
Halftime – Lincoln City 0-0 Charlton Athletic
The first ten minutes of the second half brought little to shout about, but the introduction of Jayden Stockley in the 55thsoon changed that.
Three minutes after his introduction, Stockley was unfortunate to deflect the ball into his sides goal. A Lincoln City cross tipped back into the packed penalty area by Craig MacGillivray, and pressure from Anthony Scully forcing the error. Lincoln City 1-0 Charlton Athletic.
Just four minutes later the visitors equalised. Sam Lavelle putting away an uncleared corner, Josh Griffiths unable to stretch far enough to reach the ball in his bottom left. A small number of Charlton fans getting onto the pitch, but they were quickly removed by stewards. Lincoln City 1-1 Charlton Athletic.
Stockley was again the centre of attention in the 70th minute. A foul on the Imps’ Conor McGrandles, which Stockley took a dislike to, kicking the ball away, he was shown a yellow card by David Webb.
Just a minute later, Lincoln’s left-back; Jamie Robson was brought down on the edge of the Charlton box, after a dangerous run inside; beating two men in the process. No foul was given to the dismay of the home support and players alike.
Seconds later, the home fans were baying for a second yellow for Harry Arter, the referee awarding the Imps a free kick but not showing the yellow.
On 76 minutes, MacGillivray pushed a Scully shot wide after he met a dangerous Jamie Robson cross.
Harry Arter was replaced by Ben Watson with ten minutes remaining, Arter arguably lucky to have still been on the pitch in the first place.
Lincoln thought they had got the goal to win the game in the 88th minute. Scully heading a cross home, but the linesman judged him to be offside and the score remained level.
In the 90th minute the, LNER erupted, as Regan Poole headed a Chris Maguire cross in at the far post. The joyous celebration that followed made it clear how pleased he was to have his first goal for the Imps, and what an important goal it was. Lincoln City 2-1 Charlton Athletic
The Imps saw out the five minutes of added time to pick up a well-deserved three points.
Fulltime – Lincoln City 2-1 Charlton Athletic
The Charlton fans made their feelings clear, booing the players as they came over to applaud the travelling support.
The defeat leaves Nigel Adkins side in 22nd, whilst Lincoln City will be hoping to continue winning on Tuesday, when they host AFC Wimbledon.