Lincoln City’s unbeaten home record this SkyBet League One season is over, after a 3-0 defeat to Peterborough United at the LNER Stadium.
There was one forced change to the Imps’ side that lost to Exeter last time out, with club captain Regan Poole out with a knee injury; Lasse Sorensen replaced him at right wing-back, as for the visitors, league top goal scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris would keep the City defence busy.
In the opening stages, Peterborough would have been the happier of the two sides, seeing plenty of the ball, but not making any impression on Carl Rushworth’s net. The first effort on goal was in the 10th minute, as Lasse Sorensen had an effort fly over the bar following a free kick on the right.
Peterborough’s Frankie Kent had a free header from a Ward free kick in the 18th-minute roll just wide of Rushworth’s goal, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
The Imps responded well, as some nice passing between Diamond and Virtue saw the latter have a strike from 18 yards. His effort unfortunately for the hosts whistled passed a diving Will Norris and just wide of the post.
The first caution of the game fell the way of Mandroiu following a challenge on Nathan Thompson. Things got worse for Mark Kennedy’s side as Peterborough United took the lead on 28 minutes.
Nathanael Ogbeta intercepted an ambitious pass by Lewis Montsma, before crossing to Clarke-Harris who had time and space to smash home a volley from inside the box. His 22nd goal of the season.
The league’s top goal scorer should have had his 23rd only 8 minutes later as Joe Ward’s cross found the striker in a similar position, but he somehow missed the target.
Ethan Erhahon had to be replaced by Luke Plange, after going down with an injury only 5 minutes from the half time break. Before the interval, there was time for Mandroiu to strike high and wide from 20 yards, and a Matty Virtue volley had the same result.
SECOND HALF:
It was a positive start from Lincoln to the second half, as good work from Jack Diamond saw his volley fly over, before setting up a corner, all within the opening 5 mins.
Monstma made a powerful run on the counter-attack travelling most of the pitch with the ball, before Mandroiu was fouled in a good position. The free kick was curled just wide by Mandroiu as the Imps looked to get back on level terms.
Joe Ward proved to be a tricky customer for the City backline, as his deflected effort forced a corner, just past the hour mark. From the set-piece his volley struck the inside of the post, as the visitors tried to double their lead.
Tempers rose with both managers booked in the second half for protesting decisions made by referee Robert Lewis, O’Connor also joined them in the referee’s notebook.
In the 67th minute, the visitors got the second goal they craved, with Taylor’s solo run cutting through the Imps backline with the Irishman finishing with a low driven shot, deflected past Carl Rushworth.
The Imps had to throw everything at the game to get something out of it. Montsma had an acrobatic effort held by Norris, being the only attempt on target for Mark Kennedy’s side all game. Substitute Teddy Bishop saw a free-kick sail wide too.
It was all but over as a contest five minutes from the final whistle, as Joe Ward tapped in a Kwame Poku cross at the back post, to seal Posh the three points, as home fans looked for the nearest exits.
The unbeaten home league record is over for Kennedy’s side as they turn their attention to an away trip to Fleetwood next Saturday.
Lincoln were awful no passion no leadership and no effort . No progress this season