Lincoln United lose ground in their title push as they fell to a 0-1 defeat at home to Belper United.
The Whites returned to league action just 72 hours on from their incredible Isuzu FA Vase quarter-final which they won on penalties to progress to within two games of a final at Wembley.
For now though league action was the focus and having recently dropped points in their title race with Sherwood Colliery a win was much needed. Chris Funnell made four changes to Saturday’s starting eleven, most notably recalling young striker Billy Brooks from the off.
Belper travelled to The Sun-hat Villas and Resorts Stadium in a tricky patch of form, with just one win since the turn of the year. They sit in mid table but safe from the drop so without much to play for in the remainder of their season.
First-Half:
It was Belper who controlled most of the early possession, playing it around their centre-backs in front of a compact Whites block. Goalkeeper Jack Steggles was barking at his defence to shift from left to right to keep Belper at a safe distance.
Evan Payne however had the first chance of the night for Lincoln against the run of play, the centre back’s header was brilliantly cleared off the line following an inch perfect Leo Priestley corner.
Surf Teferia was a constant danger for the Green Army, he whipped a delightful ball across the face of goal on the half hour mark but there was nobody in a Belper shirt to turn it home. It was an even affair that was just threatening to spring into life.
And it so nearly did shortly afterwards with a brilliant Lincoln passing move that ended up at the feet of Mitch Griffiths. The right-back was perhaps not the man you would want such a golden opportunity to fall to and he proved that as he ballooned his shot well over the bar.
Then the moment of the half fell to the right man, Jack McMenemy, a long ball forward put the striker through on goal and he lifted it over the goalkeeper only to see his effort rebound of the post. He laid it off to captain Elliot Dye who could only roll his shot wide.
On the brink of half-time Mason Booth-Davis cut in from left wing back to curl a shot goalward for Belper. The effort had goalkeeper Steggles beaten but Evan Payne was on hand on the line to clear and keep the game goalless at the break.
Second-Half:
The Whites started the second period well on top, keeping Belper pinned in their own half for the first ten minutes. There were no clear-cut opportunities but there was a big penalty shout as Brooks seemed to have been tripped in the box, but referee Karl Bainbridge waved it away.
Leo Priestley set pieces have been a real asset all season for Lincoln United and on 65 minutes one nearly broke the deadlock. Payne flicked on the midfielder’s cross, but his own man Dye got in the way of the ball and the back of the net.
Then on 74 minutes, Belper took the lead against the run of play. Kallum Smith was dispossessed on the halfway line by Surf Teferia.
The winger drove towards the area and fired a fierce shot across the keeper and into the top corner. It was a sinking blow for The Whites who before that looked much more likely to find the opener.
Belper so nearly sealed it on 89 minutes as substitute Sam Birks lobbed Steggles, but his effort found the crossbar. He struck the rebound, however the ‘keeper was quickly to his feet to throw himself in front of it and keep his side just about in it.
The officials added five minutes for Lincoln to try and fashion one last chance to salvage a point, but they just couldn’t get the ball to drop to the right man at the right time.
Lincoln United 0-1 Belper United:
It was a frustrating night for Lincoln United who threatened for so long with a lot of nearly moments, especially in the second-half. Jack McMenemy came closest for The Whites as he struck the post in the first-half, but they didn’t have quite enough to break a resilient Belper back line.
However, it looked like a moment of quality was going to be what it took to win the game and it came from Belper with a quarter of an hour to play. Surf Teferia’s solo effort was enough for The Green Army’s first three points since January.
The Whites will have to quickly dust themselves off as they travel to play-off chasing Skegness Town on Saturday.