Lincoln City stretch their unbeaten run to nine games, putting three past Shrewsbury Town in a convincing display.
An early Ted Bishop goal was followed by Reeco Hackett and Lasse Sorensen goals in the second-half as the Imps rounded out another victory.
Lincoln were looking to build on four wins in their last five games, as they welcomed a Shrewsbury side who have the joint-worst attack in the division.
No team have scored less goals than the Salop this season, while they have also failed to keep a single clean sheet in their last five games.
Michael Skubala made one change to the team that won at Port Vale on Saturday, with striker Ben House returning from his flu to replace Danny Mandroiu. His side hadn’t tasted defeat since a New Year’s Day trip to Blackpool.
First-Half:
Paul Hurst’s side came into the game 21st in the form table, winning just two of their last eight SkyBet League One games. However, they had the first chance.
Captain Chey Dunkley rose highest from a free-kick crossed into the Lincoln box, but he poked the ball wide after heading it down.
Then, the hosts took the lead. In the sixth minute, a Reeco Hackett corner was poorly defended by Shrewsbury as they missed multiple opportunities to clear the danger. Eventually, Joe Taylor had a shot blocked, before Hackett put the ball back across into the centre of the box for Ted Bishop to stab home.
The lively Lincoln start continued as Bishop had a shot deflected over the bar just minutes later. He volleyed the ball from the edge of the box, almost adding a quick second.
Astonishingly, the English midfielder had another attempt from the resulting corner. His corner, from in-front of the 617 Squadron, was on-target and would’ve gone in if not for a save by Salop’s Harry Burgoyne.
The home side continued to create chances, as Shrewsbury struggled to defend a number of dangerous crosses. Ben House headed wide, Lasse Sorensen almost teed up a number of on-rushing Imps attackers and Bishop curled a free-kick narrowly wide as the chances kept coming inside the first 30 minutes.
The visitors came into the game more as it passed half an hour. They were playing towards their number nine Ryan Bowman, but he couldn’t find a decisive header from a number of floated crosses.
Alex Mitchell looked to mark his 100th career game with a goal as he found space at the back-post. Hackett played the ball over to him, but the Millwall-loanee couldn’t get his feet sorted and miskicked it wide, a few minutes prior to half-time.
In the last action of the half, House rifled a shot handsomely over the bar, as he found time and space on the edge of the Shrewsbury box.
Skubala’s men were a goal to the good at the break, but would be hoping their early missed chances wouldn’t come back to bite them in the second-half.
Second-Half:
The second-half started much slower than the first. The only chance of the opening few minutes was an in-swinging Shrewsbury corner, which was met with a head in the centre of the box.
Lincoln’s first opportunity of the second-half came in the 54th minute. Ethan Erhahon played a perfectly weighted ball into Reeco Hackett, who pulled his shot just wide from inside the box.
He put his miss right just a few minutes later as he pierced a shot into the top corner of Burgoyne’s goal. Erhahon played through Luton-loanee Taylor, who pulled the ball back to Hackett to set-up his crisp finish.
It was a fourth goal in five starts for the St. Lucian International.
He almost turned provider before the hour mark, as he played a neat pass to Taylor. Luton recruitment chief Mick Harford watched on as Taylor scuffed an effort wide, before having a shot blocked just seconds later.
Similar to the opening minutes of the game, Shrewsbury were battling a barrage of Imps offence either side of 60 minutes.
In the 66th minute, Lincoln missed an opportunity to add a third as Bishop smacked the post from the penalty spot. Burgoyne took down House in the box, leaving Marc Edwards no choice but to award a spot-kick.
However, the Imps didn’t have to wait long for a third, as Sorensen planted the ball into the far corner from almost on the touchline. Skubala’s side wouldn’t care if the Dane meant to shoot or cross because they had a 3-0 lead with still over 20 minutes to play.
Both head coaches made full use of their bench as the time began to tick away, with both sides using their five substitutions. The result was only a matter of time after Sorensen added the third of the night.
Lincoln City 3-0 Shrewsbury Town:
Lincoln City were good value for their 3-0 win as they continue to make a late playoff push. The Imps made it nine games without defeat, adding a fifth win in their last six games and recording a sixth clean sheet of the calendar year.
The on-going streak is now Lincoln’s longest unbeaten run of the season.
Michael Skubala’s team face Stevenage on Saturday in a game that could prove crucial in City’s hopes of a playoff spot.