Lincoln City had to settle for a point at home against Wigan Athletic, in a game that never really got going at the LNER Stadium.
It finished goalless in front of the TV cameras, with neither side impressing.
A Lacklustre Opening 45:
The first chance of the game fell the way of the visitors, with a clever clipped ball in-behind the Imps backline from Thelo Aasgaard finding striker Joe Hugill. But, his effort was snatched wide.
Goalkeeper Zach Jeacock, making his first league start for the Imps, was called into action on the 20 minute mark. He pushed a dangerous cross away from goal, before Dion Rankine flashed an effort goalwards, which was blocked by Sean Roughan.
City’s first effort came through the right wing and former Wigan man Tendayi Darikwa. He latched onto a long ball over the top before his tame effort from inside of the box was easily held by Sam Tickle.
An excellent piece of skill from Rankine on the right beat two City players in the penalty area, before his strike was blocked from close range, five minutes before the break.
Imps defender Adam Jackson was the first name to be taken by referee Craig Hicks, for hauling down striker Joe Hugill on halfway.
New Half, Same Story:
Latics defender James Carragher was cautioned, six minutes into the second-half. Jackson’s low header forced Tickle into his first, meaningful save of the game, parrying the ball away from an incoming Cadamateri at the back post.
On the hour mark, the visitors made a double change with Joe Hugill and Dion Rankine being replaced by Dale Taylor and Callum McManaman.
Then, the Imps made their first change with Bailey Cadamateri being replaced for Jovon Makama. Head coach Michael Skubala further boosted his attacking ranks with JJ McKiernan and Jack Moylan replacing Tom Bayliss and Conor McGrandles.
Moylan tested Tickle from close range moments later. His toe-poked effort was straight at the Latics number one, who was able to parry clear.
On 74 minutes, the visitors struck the woodwork, with Thelo Aasgaard rising highest to head a cross from the right, down and onto the post. The game sparked into a little bit of life as down the other end, Tickle was forced into more work when punching a dangerous cross clear from the Imps left.
Dom Jeffries was replaced with ten to play by new Swedish signing Erik Ring, as the Imps look to steal all three points.
Moylan continued to be a positive for Skubala’s side as his dancing run beat two players. The Irishman fired his effort straight at Tickle though. Substitute Ring had the final effort that was comfortably held by the Wigan number one.
Neither side could find a way to break the deadlock and had to settle for a point each. Up next for the Imps is the away trip to Cambridge United next Saturday, before facing Steve Bruce’s Blackpool.
Feature Image Credit: Graham Burrell