Lincoln United lost their second match in as many games after falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bridlington Town despite an admirable late fightback.
The Whites made three changes to the side that lost 4-1 to Brighouse Town on Saturday afternoon, with Jaime Ture notably returning after having served his one game suspension.
Bridlington Town were slight favourites to win the fixture before kick-off, sitting in 12th place compared to Lincoln United who sat in 15th.
Prior to the game, manager Scott Hellewell said: “Tonight will be extremely tough.
“(Bridlington) have had a mixed start to the season and with us being at home it’s a game we need to be looking to get maximum points from.”
A Lacklustre First 45
The first opportunity of the match fell to the visitors after their captain Matthew Dixon received the ball on the edge of the area following a set piece, but his first time strike sailed over.
Two bookings in the Bridlington backline didn’t stop them from taking the lead 15 minutes into the game as Ahmed Salam’s low driven effort nestled into the far corner for 1-0.
The Seasiders almost doubled their lead just six minutes later when their number nine Jacob Day met Salam’s corner with a fantastic header that rattled the crossbar.
Hellewell’s side first threatened in the 38th minute through Elliot Dye down the right-hand side, his cross found Connor Brown, but the forward couldn’t direct his wild effort goalwards.
Defeat Despite Late Fightback
It was a slow start to the second half with Lincoln United doing their best to stake their claim in the match.
However, Bridlington came close to doubling their advantage just after the hour mark through Salam again who was played in one on one. Although Heath Richardson, heroically denied the winger with an excellent smother and it was eventually cleared off the line.
United wasted a chance to equalise with 73 minutes played with the ball falling kindly to substitute Grayson Giles in the centre of the box but his strike was straight at Joshua Render in the Town net.
The Whites kept up the pressure going into the last 15 minutes and came close through Giles again after the attacker was played in by Connor Brown, but the substitute’s shot whistled just wide of the post.
With a minute left of normal time the home side came as close as they had all game as they hit the post through Giles before Varley failed to convert the follow up.
Full-Time: Lincoln United 0-1 Bridlington Town
Despite the late pressure, Lincoln United weren’t able to find an equaliser and Hellewell’s side fell to their second defeat in as many games.
Next up for the Whites is a trip to relegation threatened Bishop Auckland on Saturday, October 18 as they look to return to winning ways.