Lincoln City end their winless league run against 10-men Reading, with a 2-0 win at the LNER Stadium.
Despite hitting the post three times, the Imps cruised to victory in the Sky Bet League One on Saturday.
Lincoln came into the game without a win in the League One since October 29, when they beat Northampton Town at home. Last time, out lost a 2-0 lead to draw at Huddersfield Town, sitting just behind visitors Reading.
The Royals came into the game off the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Blackpool, struggling to adapt to life under new boss Noel Hunt.
Electric start for Lincoln City:
The Imps started the game in electric fashion, with a long-range effort from Sean Roughan forcing Reading keeper Joel Pereira to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.
Lincoln City took an early lead in the 8th minute through Bailey Cadamarteri. Irishman Roughan put a dangerous ball into the box which Jovon Makama got his head to. His effort was saved and came out to Cadamerteri who fired the ball into the back off the net for his third goal in as many games.
Reading really struggled, having no shots in the first 30 minutes of the game and holding most of their possession being in their own half.
The away side’s first big chance of the game came in the 33rd minutes, when striker Sam Smith was played through and appeared to be taken down by Paudie O’Conner in the box. However, the referee did not award a spot-kick.
The nightmare first half for Reading continued when Louie Holzman got sent off in the 37th minute. The referee judged that he had brought down the last man and stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Clean sheet and three points:
Lincoln City’s momentum carried on into the second half, applying pressure to the Reading defence. It almost paid off when Makama cut the ball back to Ben House, but the Imps where denied by the post.
On 65 minutes, the Imps got another chance to double their lead when House managed to wriggle between defenders and play the ball the Reeco Hackett, who flicked it back to the former Reading man. But, the striker was denied by the post for the second time.
Not even two minutes later, Lincoln were denied by the post again. It came as a scrappy bit of play in the box led to Reading shot-stopper Pereira being unable to handle to the ball and it rolling behind him only hit the woodwork.
The Imps finally managed to double their lead in the 72nd minute when Lewis Montsma played a magnificent ball over the top of the Reading defence to Hackett. His first time shot was perfectly placed into the bottom corner giving the ‘keeper no chance.
Lincoln City managed to see out the rest of the game comfortably with Reading only registering one shot target all afternoon. The Imps have returned to winning ways at a key time, with the busy festive period here and Shrewsbury Town next up on Boxing day.