Lincoln City fall to defeat against league-leaders Wycombe Wanderers at the LNER Stadium.
Tendayi Darikwa netted a brace from wing-back, but his side still lost 3-2 to the in-form Chairboys.
Michael Skubala made three changes to his side, from their goalless draw with Exeter City last time out in SkyBet League One. Jovon Makama, Dylan Duffy and Ethan Erhahon came into the starting eleven at the expense of Bailey Cadamarteri, Ethan Hamilton and Dom Jefferies.
Matt Bloomfield made just one change to his Wycombe team, with Josh Scowen dropping out in place of captain Luke Leahy.
A Frantic First-Half:
The first-half featured a plethora of chances for both sides. In the second minute, Wycombe goalkeeper Franco Ravizolli misplaced a pass, which Conor McGrandles intercepted just outside the area. The ball fell to Jack Moylan who put his first-time effort wide.
Four minutes later, Dan Harvie’s powerful left-footed effort from range forced George Wickens into a diving stop to his left, to put the ball behind for a corner.
Then, with 13 minutes on the clock, the Imps took the lead. After an initial cross from Ben House was blocked away, he recovered possession and, a few passes later, crossed the ball in to Darikwa. In acres of space, he finished from close range into the bottom corner.
Immediately after Wycombe went behind, a corner aimed to the back post forced Wickens into a save. From that moment on, Lincoln dominated the next 20 minutes, but failed to create any clear cut opportunities to double their advantage – with the final ball illuding them and the travelling defence standing firm.
Against the run of play, Matt Bloomfield’s side drew level with 10 minutes to play before the interval.
The Chairboys eventually won possession and Cameron Humphreys’ cross from the right was met by Richard Kone at the back post, who had space and time to get the ball under control and finish past Wickens for his ninth league goal of the season.
They doubled their lead through Fred Onyedinma, with some great play between Dan Udoh, Kone and Harvie down the left finding the Nigerian unmarked on the penalty spot.
End-to-End After the Break:
The second-half brought about early pressure from Lincoln City. Erhahon’s floated ball into the box from the right of the penalty area found House at the back post, unmarked, whose headed effort forced a fantastic save from Ravizzoli.
Following this opening period, Wycombe then began to get a foothold in the game again.
Dylan Duffy brought Onyedinma down in the area after 63 minutes. The penalty, taken by Wycombe’s captain Luke Leahy, was hit down the middle and saved by the trailing legs of Wickens.
Despite failing to dispatch from 12-yards, the visitors kept the pressure on. And, their lead was doubled with 20 minutes left to play.
Lincoln failed to clear a corner from Wycombe’s right side, Gareth McCleary recycled possession with a cross from the edge of the 18-yard box to the back post, where Joe Low rose highest to head the ball in for his second goal in as many games.
The game opened up following a raft of changes in the last 15 minutes, with both ‘keepers being tested. Darikwa forced Ravizolli into a save low down at his near post, and Wickens watched McCleary blaze an attempt over from six-yards out for the Chairboys.
With four minutes plus stoppage time remaining, Darikwa netted his second of the game with a thunderous effort that nestled in the top corner.
However, in stoppage time Skubala’s side failed to create any meaningful chances, and their run of six games unbeaten in all competitions was brought to an end by League One’s table-toppers.
Lincoln City next face Wrexham at The Racecourse Ground on Tuesday, November 26.
Feature Image Credit: Graham Burrell