A late Salford City equaliser caused Lincoln City to bow out in the Emirates FA Cup first round as they lost out on penalties.
Kelly Nmai’s injury time goal cancelled out Erik Ring’s first half opener before Imps captain Tendayi Darikwa was shown a red card late in extra-time.
The two sides couldn’t be separated in 120 minutes of football before the Imps were eventually defeated 4-2 on penalties.
A clinical first half
George Wickens was forced into action early on for the Imps as he tipped over an attempt from Kallum Cesay after Jorge Grant also come close from a corner.
Wickens again kept Lincoln City out of danger as he was able to place a hand on Grant’s shot from range after a goalmouth scramble.
City responded quickly in the 18th minute when Ben House shook off his defender with ease inside the box but his strike was tipped away by Mark Howard in goal.
Despite coming under early pressure, the visitors did eventually take the lead just short of the half hour mark following some individual brilliance from Erik Ring.
The Swedish wideman was able to collect the ball from Darikwa inside his own half and beat everyone in front of him before slotting the ball behind the keeper.
That was the last action following an eventful start to the first half as Michael Skubala’s side saw their lead into the break.
Late heartbreak for the Imps
Conor McGrandles had the chance to double Lincoln’s lead in the 50th minute, however his volley from just outside the box went significantly wide.
Having only just made his way onto the pitch Dan Udoh had a prime opportunity to claw one back for the Ammie’s but couldn’t find the target with his effort.
64 minutes in and Ryley Towler could have put his name in lights as he did well to retain the ball with defenders surrounding him but could only fire an attempt over.
Salford supporters thought they had clawed one back thanks to Nmai’s goalmouth grab, but the linesman had other ideas calling it offside.
Drama ensued in the late stages of the match with only two minutes left to play, a defensive error by substitute Lewis Montsma left Nmai to pick up an easy goal to level the game.
Nothing to separate the two sides
Both teams prepared to go again for an extra half an hour of football with neither side immediately utilising their extra substitution.
Darikwa had a good chance in the first half of added time, but the goalkeeper was a in perfect position to fend it away.
The second half dawned and new Salford signing Fabio Borini had a brilliant opportunity to score his first goal in red but failed to do so from inside the box.
Another shock to the system of the supporting away fans came when Darikwa was shown his second yellow card of the game.
City lose out in the lottery
Following 120 minutes of football the two sides couldn’t be separated before the game headed to spot kicks where two Lincoln City misses saw Salford City progress.
Misses from substitute Tom Bayliss and Scotsman Connor McGrandles were capitalised on by Dan Udoh as the hosts claimed a 4-2 victory from the spot.
Lincoln will have to now look onwards, focussing their attention to the league as they take on Rotherham United away from home on Saturday, November 8.