Lincoln United conceded a stoppage-time winner to succumb to a 2-1 defeat to fellow relegation rivals Shildon AFC, in a game the ‘Whites’ dominated for periods but lacked the end product Shildon showed in the final third.
United had lost three on the bounce coming into the game at Ashby Avenue yesterday and risked being dragged into a relegation battle, as they sat 16th in the Northern Premier League East Division ahead of kick-off.
Their opponents, Shildon, were one place below the home team ahead of the 128-mile trip to Lincolnshire and would be level on points with Chris Funnell’s team if they won. Every game is important, but this almost felt like a relegation six-pointer on the day and added extra emphasis on the result.
As Referee Ashley Allen got the game underway, the ‘Whites’ enjoyed possession and looked a lot more comfortable on the ball, compared to the last time LincSport were at Ashby Avenue, for Lincoln’s 2-1 win against Dunston UTS.
Shildon really struggled to find any space to get the ball down and play, credit has to go to United for how they contained Shildon for long spells and the game plan seemed to be working, as the visitors were stifled by United’s midfield in the opening 20 minutes and never looked like scoring at this stage in the tie.
The first sighting of goal went to Lincoln City loanee Tayo Alexander-Tucker, who showed endeavour all afternoon and was lively from the outset, however lacked that final bit of quality, as his first chance was mis-hit wide of the mark from the edge of the box.
Elliott Dye was heavily involved in the home team’s attacking play and nearly opened the scoring. Tobias Liversidge’s ball in from the left fell to Dye, but he couldn’t keep his half volley under the bar as the bounce forced the Number 10 into an awkward technique.
And that was much of the story of United’s first half. They were creating plenty of chances, but they just weren’t clear cut enough. Either a block would come in from a Shildon defender at the right time, or an unfortunate bounce would break up an opportunity, or a misfired shot went wide . It just didn’t seem like their day in front of goal.
A soft penalty shout was rightly waved away by the ref after Alexander-Tucker went shoulder to shoulder with Aidan Heywood in the box. And that was the first half over. As the teams went into the break with United in full control.
Second Half:
It would be easy to say that it was a game of two halves with no goals in the first and three in the second, but the second started much like the first did, with United cruising in fifth gear and Shildon only finding any joy going forward through direct long balls.
The first moment of controversy inevitably arrived as referee Allen had a huge decision to make as Alexander-Tucker went down in the box after beating his man on the byline. But to the dismay of every United fan at Ashby Avenue, Allen went the other way and booked Alexander-Tucker for diving.
It was a 50/50 decision and looked much more like a penalty compared to the penalty shout in the first half. However we were on the other side of the pitch for this one.
Alexander-Tucker was involved again as Shildon keeper Harrison Bond made a meal of the United winger’s speculative cross/shot, as he back pedalled to just tip the ball over the bar.
The game didn’t swing until Shildon made their substitutions, bringing on first Michael Sweet and Vinnie Steels and then eventual match winner Alex Hutchinson.
The first goal involved a link up between Sweet and Steels on the 76 minute mark, as a cross from Billy Greulich-Smith on the left found Steels who headed back across the six-yard box to Sweet, who looped home a header out of the reach of Steggles in the ‘Whites’ net. A goal against the run of play as Shildon showed bundles of composure in front of goal to take the lead.
It was do or die for United at this point, as Chris Funnell brought off Leo Priestley for Max Baker to try and get something out of the game.
And from a corner it looked like they had. As ‘Whites’ captain and MOTM Callum Foster rose to meet a header at the back post to convert into an empty net in the 89th minute. 1-1
Either team could’ve taken all three points at this stage and you would’ve been a brave man to try and predict the winner. Both teams had chances to win it, Kallum Smith blasted a shot over the bar from close range in United’s best last ditch chance.
While Shildon converted theirs, as all three substitutes linked up to score a tremendous team goal. The move started as Greulich-Smith beat Henry Millard in the air to find Steels on the left touchline, he flicked it on to Sweet who returned the favour by knocking a ball in behind the ‘Whites’ backline.
Watching the goal back, a leggy Evan Payne is beaten to the ball by a committed and fresher Steels, who played it back across goal to an unmarked Hutchinson in the centre of the box. And with all the composure of a million-pound Premier League striker Hutchinson curled it past a helpless Steggles to win it in the 93rd minute.
Full time: Lincoln United 1-2 Shildon AFC
And with the last kick of the game, Shildon had won it, thoroughly deserving the three points with immense composure in front of goal and commitment in a game where for long periods they didn’t even have a look in.
The result is a huge blow for Chris Funnell’s team, making it four losses in a row and dragging the ‘Whites’ into a relegation battle for the second year running.
They head to 2nd placed Hebburn Town next Saturday as the run in continues.