Michael Skubala praised Lincoln City‘s defensive efforts, as Reeco Hackett’s first-half goal was enough to secure victory against Huddersfield Town.
The Imps spent long periods of the game without the ball, but stood firm defensively and prevented their opponents having a shot on target across the 90 minutes.
“It wasn’t comfortable but we defended so well. I thought our back four were magnificent,” said Skubala.
The Imps ended a run of one win in four games, and scored the first time in three attempts after blanks against Exeter City and promotion-pushing Wycombe Wanderers.
The City head coach said: “They had no shots on target, and if they did shoot it was from miles out. I don’t think they troubled us much, so it was more about us being defensively solid rather than grinding out a result.”
Skubala made four changes to his starting 11 from the defeat to Wycombe on Saturday, one of which was in that defensive line due to Paudie O’Connor’s suspension.
Adam Jackson, who came into the side, was praised by his manager for his performance.
“He has got such great experience. Defensively, he was really clever with his positioning, I really like it when he drives up with the ball. Jacko has got supreme quality, he said. “I am really happy with all of the centre-halves we have in the building.”
Hackett’s goal came with ten minutes left to play in the first-half.
Tom Bayliss floated a corner towards the front post from the left side, and Jackson flicked it on for the St. Lucian international to turn in from close range for his third of the term.
“That was a set piece we worked on in training yesterday,” Skubala told The Linc.
He aded: “We practiced getting a flick-on at the front post, how we could block players, move players, and how we could land bodies at the back post. It was a perfectly-routine set piece.
“We work so hard on them. Scotty (Scott Fry, Lincoln City’s goalkeeping coach) leads on that and we spend a lot of time meeting together about how important they are.”
The Imps will hope to follow up their win over the Terriers with another three points on Saturday against Nathan Jones’ dangerous Charlton Athletic at The Valley.