The Swedish substitute’s 88th minute strike was the difference between the two sides, with the Imps moving up to fifth in SkyBet League One.
It’s the second time within a week that Michael Skubala’s side have come from a goal behind to win 2-1, after their win on Saturday against Stockport County. The result sees the visitors’ four-match unbeaten run end at the LNER Stadium.
Skubala made two changes following his sides win against Stockport, bringing in Ethan Hamilton for the injured Ethan Erhahon, with Tom Hamer replacing Lewis Montsma.
A Shaky Start:
The Cobblers started magnificently, taking the lead within two minutes. Tyler Roberts beat his man on the left and managed to find Tarique Fosu on the edge of the box, who slotted the ball into the back of the net giving George Wickens no chance.
The Imps almost replied straight away when the ball fell for Ethan Hamilton on the edge of the box, but his first-time volley was blocked on the line by a Northampton defender. Cobblers bench screamed for a penalty due to Roberts managing to get in behind the back line of the Imps defence forcing Wickens to come off his line and make a big save colliding with the striker in the process, but no penalty was given by referee Ollie Yates.
Roberts nearly put the ball into his own net at the neat post from a corner giving Lincoln City another corner. The resulting corner on 18 minutes saw defender Tom Hamer convert first time at the back post, thanks to a brilliant corner from winger Reeco Hackett. It’s Hamer’s second goal for the Imps after his late equaliser at Blackpool earlier in the season.
Following the equaliser the Imps took control of the game and looked a lot more confident than they did in the opening minutes, creating chances and seeing more of the ball. Sean Roughan had a big chance to put the Imps in the lead during the 36th minute after he beat his man and got a shot off inside the box but a strong hand from Lee Burge pushed it out for a corner.
Lincoln kept the pressure on when the ball came loose following the corner and Ben House flicked it over Burge but was denied by a magnificent goal line clearance from Jack Baldwin to keep the game level.
Just before the end of the half, disappointment came for goal scorer for Tom Hamer, who limped off the pitch with an injury.
Superb Swedish Substitute:
It was a slow start to the second half, with both teams trying to get back into the rhythm of the game following the break. Only five minutes into the second half, there was a long stoppage in play due to a head injury to Cobblers striker Tom Eaves who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes since coming off the bench at half-time.
The first big chance of the half came in the 66th minute when Ben House cut in from the left-hand side of the pitch and gets a shot away but blasts it over the bar and into The Stacey West Stand. Michael Skubala’s side started to gain more momentum as the second half wore on, with another chance coming Houses’ way. He was unable to convert once again as his short was straight at the keeper.
Frustration grew for the Cobblers, when Tyler Roberts was shown a second yellow for punching the ball away after the Imps where given a throw-in, leaving Northampton a man down.
Lincoln left it late but in the 88th minute, fellow substitute Javon Makama did brilliantly to create some space and rifle a cross into the box which Erik Ring got on the end of and opened up his account for the Imps on his 10th appearance for the club. An agonising 11 minutes of stoppage time were successfully seen out by the Imps, who solidify their place in the play-off spots, in fifth place.
City have nearly a week off before they travel to non-league Chesham United in the FA Cup first round on Monday night, before continuing their travels to Bristol Rovers the following Saturday, returning to League One action.
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Feature Image Credit: Graham Burrell