Lincoln United crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle after Goole AFC won a topsy-turvy game.
It is the earliest that The Whites have ever exited the competition, as Goole came from 2-1 down to win 3-2.
Scott Hellewell’s side welcomed the Vikings after a disappointing midweek defeat to Newark Town, looking to extend their cup run beyond their entry.
Goole were also coming into the game after a negative result, losing 3-0 to Rotherham-based Parkgate in their step five division opener.
Goole Take an Early Lead:
There were warning signs early on, as Liam Flanagan smacked a long-range strike high and wide of Phil McGann’s goal.
It was then Flanagan, Goole’s number nine, who fired his team into the lead. He met a neat cross inside the United penalty area and set himself before curling a postage stamp effort into the top corner.
However, the lead did not last long, as Jack McMenemy scored his first of the regular season. Scott Matthews flicked a neat pass in behind the Goole defence, and last season’s top marksman made no mistake in slotting the ball home.
The Whites had improved since going a goal down, and got their just reward when McMenemy opened his account for the new campaign, scoring Lincoln’s first goal from open-play of the season.
Goole’s long-balls were causing trouble for Lincoln’s backline, while the home side were beginning to create a stream of chances at the other end before the break.
Quick Out of the Blocks for the Second-Half:
Lincoln United set off quickly in the second-half, with Tris Drummond forcing a sharp near-post save from Joseph Wilton. From the resulting corner they had the lead, as Henry Moore met Matthews’ cross to plant the ball beyond the Vikings’ shot-stopper.
The Whites carried on their momentum, with Drummond seeing another effort saved, before Matthews whistled a stern strike from 20-yards out just over the bar.
Moments Change Games:
Lincoln thought they had the game won when Jack McMenemy claimed a penalty. He was bundled down by Goole’s ‘keeper, leaving referee Robert Peatling no choice but to award a spot-kick. However, McMenemy saw his penalty saved, as he tamely stroked it into the hands of Wilton down to his left.
Then, Jaime Ture had an effort ruled out for offside, as things seemed to be going against the home side.
Suddenly, Goole looked rejuvenated. The ball bobbled to Lucas Robinson after a melee in the box, leaving him the simple task of tapping it home.
Just two minutes later, Flanagan went close after substitute Kier Storey sent a searching long-ball over the top of the Whites’ defence.
The turnaround was complete in the 81st minute as Robinson added his second. The number ten cut in from the left and picked out the bottom corner of McGann’s goal, to send the away following into rapture.
The result was a far cry from the journey Lincoln went on in the FA Cup last season, winning three games before Worksop Town ended their dreams. It was the first time United had lost at the Extra Preliminary Round of the historic competition.
The Whites return to action on Saturday, August 10, hosting Gresley Rovers.