Lincoln City came from behind to beat Stockport County and secure a return to winning ways.
Goals from Ben House and Bailey Cadamarteri either side of the interval were enough for the Imps to bounce back from recent defeats.
Michael Skubala made four changes for the game, including a first start in more than 18 months for defender Lewis Montsma. The Imps were looking for a return to winning ways after losing back-to-back league games for the first time since the turn of the year.
Lincoln City Start Well, But Go Behind:
After a well-observed moment of remembrance for the lives lost in conflict, Lincoln started the game brightly. Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri sprung onto a loose ball, forcing Corey Addai into early action. Ben House then went close, as he stuck a leg out to divert a low Dom Jefferiers cross goalwards.
However, the striker’s touch went the wrong side of the post, as the game entered only its third minute.
Then, the deadlock was broken. It was at the other end, though, as Tanto Olaofe neatly finished beyond George Wickens. Nick Powell sprung a delighted cross from the left, and Olaofe directed it back across the Lincoln ‘keeper for his fourth of the campaign.
Things went from bad to worse for the Imps, as Ethan Erhahon was replaced after picking up an injury. Fellow Scott Ethan Hamilton replaced him.
Stockport themselves suffered an early injury when Powell received treatment, and was duly replaced by former Premier League midfielder Ollie Norwood.
The game slowed as the first-half progressed, with Lincoln corners becoming evermore repetitive.
The Imps then found their leveller, as Tendayi Darikwa pinned an inch-perfect cross to House at the back post. The City top goalscorer nodded it beyond a diving Addai, to get his side back to parity in the 42nd minute.
Hectic First-Half Stoppage Time:
The Hatters had a penalty shout turned away in first-half stoppage time. Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry cleverly worked his way through City’s lines of defence, coming one-on-one with Wickens. The Imps goalkeeper came out strongly, and met Barry just inside his penalty area, with Sean Roughan also putting a strong tackle in.
The 1,426-strong away support were adamant it should have been a spot-kick, but saw their arguments waved away.
From the resulting corner, Cadamarteri intercepted an attempt to play it short and nearly three-quarters of the pitch. However, after doing all the hard work, he spooned his effort wide of the target.
The sides had come into the game level on points, with only goal difference putting Stockport County in ninth as opposed to Lincoln City’s tenth-place.
Turnaround Completed:
Hatters boss Dave Challinor made a brave triple change at half-time, including the unusual decision to change goalkeepers. He replaced Addai with the experienced Ben Hinchcliffe, with the former Crawley Town shot-stopper appearing to be uninjured.
The second 45 was devoid of much goalmouth action until the hour mark. That was when Montsma sent a ball to Cadamarteri, who drilled it across the face of goal. A Stockport defender pinched in front of House in the nick of time, diverting the ball wide.
Lincoln City completed their turnaround in the 65th minute. Jefferies delivered a corner onto the head of an unmarked Cadamarteri. He made no mistake, nestling his third of the season beyond the reach of Hinchcliffe.
Stockport were spurred into life as the clock wound towards the 90 minute mark. Wickens was called to make a smart save from former Lincoln loanee Kyle Wootton, as he found space in between with less than ten minutes on the clock. And, Barry went close to providing a spark, as he twisted his way through the Imps box and squared the ball for a wayward poke.
The result ended Stockport County’s status as the only League One team left unbeaten away from home, as condemned them to a first defeat in six games.
Meanwhile, it was an important three points for Lincoln City, as they reacted to midweek misery at Crawley Town ahead of Northampton Town’s visit on Tuesday night.
Feature Image Credit: Graham Burrell