Lincoln City came back from 1-0 down to beat strugglers Crawley Town 4-1 at the LNER Stadium.
Goals from James Collins, Jovon Makama, Dom Jefferies, and Joe Gardner helped the Imps to their first home win since beating Peterborough United in late January.
Michael Skubala made five changes from the side that fell to the hands of Barnsley at the weekend, the most noticeable of which being a return between the sticks for George Wickens.
An action-packed half:
Through their first attack of the game, the Red Devils found the back of the net. A ball played wide to Charlie Baker led to a shot down to Wickens’ right. The goalkeeper could only push it into the middle of the box, where Doyle was stood to tap it into an almost empty net, much to the joy of the travelling fans.
Lincoln came close to responding just five minutes after Crawley’s opener. Tendayi Darikwa hit a half-volley towards goal, but it struck the underside of the bar and was eventually cleared of any danger.
City did manage to find their equaliser after 14 minutes. Collins received the ball across goal from Dom Jefferies, and the striker drilled his effort into the bottom corner.
Lincoln found themselves on top after going behind, creating the better of the chances and looking the most likely to score. With that came a deserved goal, with Makama giving the hosts the lead for the first time in the game.
An inch-perfect cross by Jefferies was met by the strikers head, but his first effort hit the inside of the post, fortunately bouncing back at him to tap it into an empty net, with Wollacott only scrambling to get to the second attempt.
Jefferies gave Lincoln a third just after the half-hour mark. Makama made a good run down Lincoln’s right hand side, and drilled the ball across goal. It was met by wing-back Jefferies, who tapped it in at the far post.
The game dropped in tempo following the second goal, as Crawley tried to get back into the game, but lacked the quality to create anything.
Good game management:
Lincoln approached the second-half similar to how they ended the first, dominating the ball but lowering the tempo as they aimed to see out a comfortable win against a struggling side.
Despite being the dominant side and creating far more chances than Crawley, the Imps could not find a fourth, to make their way to three points that bit easier.
Substitute Ethan Hamilton had a golden opportunity for City, receiving the ball in the centre of the box and curling an effort towards goal, but it was narrowly wide of goal.
Bailey Cadamarteri made a return to the bench, and was brought on in place for goalscorer James Collins with 10 minutes to go. The attacker had an effort quickly after coming on, driving one low towards goal, but it was well saved by Joseph Wollacott.
Gardner gave Lincoln a fourth just before the end of regulation time. The midfielder drove into the box, and drilled an effort towards the far post, as it collided with the woodwork and hit the back of the net, leading to the Nottingham Forest loanee wheeling away in celebration.
Despite an early scare for the Imps, determination and quality was ultimately enough to see Lincoln leave their home ground with the maximum number of points, as they look to try and make a late play-off push.
Next up for the Imps is a trip to champions-elect Birmingham City on Saturday, March 8.