Lincoln City’s Mide Shodipo struck an injury-time equaliser to secure a point against Port Vale in a dramatic afternoon.
Two red cards were shown in the second-half as it was honours even at the end of the Remembrance Day fixture at the LNER Stadium.
Lincoln City came into the game hoping to record back-to-back victories for the second time in Tom Shaw’s interim reign as head coach. They faced an injury-hit Port Vale side desperate for a win, off the back of seven winless league games.
It was a healthier picture away from SkyBet League One action for the Valiants, as they’re the lowest ranked side left in the EFL Cup, reaching the quarter-finals.
The Imps have had patchy form of late, following a three game unbeaten streak with consecutive defeats. However, the win over Notts County in midweek got them back on track heading into this clash.
First-Half:
After an impeccably-observed Remembrance Day service, Ethan Hamilton got the game underway.
Port Vale travelled to Lincolnshire without eight players, due to injuries and a suspension to captain Nathan Smith, but they had the first chance of the game.
In the 7th minute, Tom Sang swung in a delightful cross, which Alfie Devine met with a header. Lincoln City goalkeeper Lukas Jensen pulled off a great save, getting a strong hand to it and tipping it onto the post, before the Imps’ defence scrambled the ball clear.
It was a head-in-hands moment for Alistair Smith as the Imps’ had their first chance of the game five minutes later. Dylan Duffy whipped in a tantalising cross, but Smith put it over the bar from just six-yards out.
The game slowed down in tempo after the early chances, with a Oliver Arblaster yellow card the only incident of note.
However, it had a spark of life on the half-hour mark as the hosts created an opportunity.
Lasse Sorensen had a waft at a bouncing ball before some Smith acrobatics laid it at Duffy’s feet. He slotted the ball past Vale ‘keeper Conor Ripley, but was rightfully flagged offside.
Then came a flurry of Port Vale chances. The lively Devine drove down the left, before cutting inside and laying the ball off to Uche Ikpeazu, who had been causing TJ Eyoma problems with his physical edge. Ikeapzu’s shot was on target, but Jensen knocked it wide with a strong left boot.
However, the visitors wouldn’t be denied for much longer as Ethan Chislett crossed in from the right, allowing Ben Garrity to place the ball into the corner of Jensen’s net with ease. It sent the 607-strong travelling support into exuberant celebration.
Imps’ joint top-scorer Hakeeb Adelakun had returned to the starting-11 in place of Jake Vale, but was mostly isolated for the first-half. His only involvement came as he rifled a shot from outside the box, in the 43rd minute.
Unfortunately for him, it hit the back of Dylan Duffy rather than the back of Port Vale’s net.
As half-time came to an end in the uncharacteristic November sunshine, Duffy had a curling-effort saved by Vale’s Ripley. Lincoln were pushing for an equaliser, but went into half-time 1-0 down.
Second-Half:
The second-half started with a shock when, just two minutes after the break, referee Craig Hicks handed Vale’s Arblaster a second yellow card for a late challenge on Ethan Erhahon.
Just five minutes later, Lincoln’s man advantage evaporated as the referee gave captain Paudie O’Connor his marching orders for an apparent elbow on Ikpeazu. It happened right in-front of the fourth official, Conor Brown, and after the referee consulted with Brown he produced a red card.
City created a number of chances during the short time they played against 10-men, but goalkeeper Ripley was equal to the best effort, which was Smith’s curler from just inside the box.
Danny Mandroiu was ready to come on before the second red card, but replaced Jack Burroughs in a departure from the back-five for the Imps just after it.
Despite O’Connor’s sending-off, Lincoln remained on the front foot and almost equalised as Adelakun delivered a corner that would’ve landed in the back of the net if not for a punch away by Ripley.
Port Vale had their first chance of the second-half in the 65th minute as Ikpeazu drilled the ball into Devine. However, the Tottenham-loanee fired his effort high and handsomely over the Rilmac Stand.
Just before he was subbed-off, Ikpeazu had a chance of his own as he outmuscled an Imps’ defender and headed from close-range. Thankfully for the home side, Jensen was equal to it.
The second-half was being played in more frantic fashion than the first, with chances aplenty at both ends. Though, the game had become scrappy and every decision the referee made was being received by anger and ‘boos’.
With ten minutes to go, Lincoln were seeking an equaliser, but the visitors looked just as likely to double their lead at the other end.
Mandroiu went tantalisingly close as he flicked a low Sorensen corner across the face of goal. All it needed was a slight touch, but it flashed wide of the far-post instead.
The fourth-official signalled nine minutes of additional time and Lincoln made it count as substitute Mide Shodipo dramatically scored his first goal of the season. The ball came in from the right, leaving Shodipo with the simple task of slotting it into an almost empty Port Vale net.
Lincoln City 1-1 Port Vale:
The late equaliser gave Lincoln City a point which was perhaps deserved based on their second-half display. It rescued the Imps from another home defeat and extended Port Vale’s winless league run to eight games.
The Valiants were the better side in the first-half and deservedly went into the break a goal to the good. The duo of early second-half red cards meant the game descended into a more frantic affair. Lincoln were eventually able to make that count as late substitute Mide Shodipo slotted home his first goal of the season.