Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala praises his side’s “mentality” as they snatch victory against Leyton Orient to rise into the play-off spots.
Jovon Makama scored at the end of the 90 minutes to secure a tight 1-0 win over a fellow play-off chasing outfit. The win lifts the Imps into sixth-place, with results elsewhere falling their way.
Skubala said: “It’s very emotional for everyone, including the players, including the staff, and what a way to win.”
“Not being at your best and getting three points against a team that wants to take that three points is amazing. We knew how hard this game was going to be, it wasn’t going to be a team down the bottom, it’s a team that’s going on a really good run,” he added.
Lincoln kept a seventh clean sheet in eight games, and a third in a row with their narrow victory.
The Imps head coach said: “I don’t think we were at our best, but we were in our mentality and I think that is what made the difference.”
Mixing up the midfield:
Ethan Erhahon missed only his third SkyBet League One game of the season, after picking up two yellow cards against Bristol Rovers.
On how his side coped with the Scot’s absence, Skubala said: “I think we were fine, and then we got a bit leggy in there because it was a tough game. So, we had to get Ben [House] dropped in and make a few adjustments, but I think the lads in there put in a good shift, which was pleasing.”
House dropped into midfield during the second-half, joining Danny Mandroiu and Ted Bishop after Jack Moylan was replaced.
“Every win is a big win at the minute. Every point, we will try and take. If it’s a draw, if it’s a win, we’ll just try and take points and then see where we are at the end,” the City head coach added.
A sold-out Sincil Bank:
Close to 10,000 packed themselves into the LNER Stadium, in a capacity crowd.
Skubala praised the vocal support, saying: “You could just hear them, when you’re winning games like we did last week, and everyone expects that. But, when you know after 70 minutes it’s three or four-nil and the game is over, [it’s not the same] as today when the game is in the 89th minute on a knife-edge.”
The Imps faithful cheered their team onto an eighth unbeaten home game in a row, while also extending their overall unbeaten run to 14 games.
Looking ahead to Easter Monday:
Lincoln City now have a quick turnaround, as they travel to Carlisle United on Easter Monday.
The Cumbrian-side beat Peterborough United 3-1, while the Imps were playing Leyton Orient, following on from a point against Stevenage during the international break.
Skubala said: “If you don’t bring your 100% to every game at this level, you can get hurt. We have to be on it at Carlisle, there’s no point putting in a hard shift like this and then not being on it.”