Lincoln City recorded their thirteenth draw of the season, holding Cambridge United 0-0 in a game both teams will wish to forget in a hurry. Cambridge had good chances through Liam Bennett and Sam Smith either side of half time, whereas Lincoln struggled to find any real spark going forward.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire post match, Lincoln head coach, Mark Kennedy, called his team’s execution in the final third ‘well below standard’.

 

The Imps made three changes to the side that were held to a goalless draw at MK Dons, with Shodipo, Roughan, and Ben House coming into the side replacing Boyes, Sanders, and former club captain Tom Hopper, who recently transferred to Colchester United.

A scrappy opening half saw a limited amount of chances for either side. Loan signing Mide Shodipo looked bright on his Sincil Bank debut for the Imps, getting down the right side before being closed down by Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

The U’s created arguably the best chance of the half, with Brophy playing through striker Sam Smith down the left wing, but his powerful strike was well tipped over the bar by Carl Rushworth in the 13th minute.

Smith had another effort headed wide five minutes later, as well as a similar Ironside header being held by Rushworth as the visitors started to take control of the contest. It was not until past the 30 minute mark that City started to create.

Midfielder Lasse Sorensen flicked an effort goalwards but without any power to trouble the Cambridge goalkeeper.

Poole found Ben House with a deep right-footed cross, but the Imps striker’s header was high over the bar. He was later booked for dissent as frustration began to creep in amongst some of the home faithful.

Tribute to Lincoln City fan and 617 squadron member Marcus Needham during the game. Photo: Ben Carr

The second half saw a brighter start to proceedings with both sides having chances. Shodipo continued to impress down the right wing, flashing a cross into the box which was inches away from connecting with Ben House.

Brophy had a volleyed effort for Cambridge fly high over the bar from just inside the box, as both sides looked to break the deadlock.

Jack Diamond saw his powerful, low-driven effort held by Mitov well, following a counter-attack on the hour mark, before the game settled and developed to follow a similar pattern to the one in the first half.

A scrappy contest saw cautions for both sides, with Roughan and Bishop both finding their way into referee Peter Wright’s notebook.

Both sides continued to press forwards to try and find a winning goal in the closing stages. Bennett had a goal bound curling effort from the right wing blocked by City substitute Max Sanders.

City’s final chance of the game came on 89 minutes, as Poole did well to drive forward and put in a cross to find House, who took his time before firing wide of Mitov’s net.

Another draw for the Imps at home sees them 16th in League One, and still unbeaten at home this season. They next travel to Accrington Stanley next week, before hosting Bristol Rovers in their next home fixture.