Michael Skubala was brimming with joy after his side yet again turned over the SkyBet League One leaders, this time being Cardiff City as the Imps secured a 2-1 victory at the LNER Stadium.
A tense first half saw the breakthrough come five minutes before the break when Reeco Hackett’s attempted through ball was turned into his own net by Bluebirds’ midfielder Alex Robertson.
Cardiff equalised five minutes after the break following a free-flowing move that was capped off by Perry Ng, silencing the home crowd.
The Imps’ set-piece strength proved to be the defining factor once again, as Sonny Bradley headed in his fourth goal of the campaign to send them to within just three points of the top of League One.
That was the second time this season the league leaders have come to the LNER Stadium and lost, and Skubala was thrilled with the home support.
When asked how he keeps defeating the top teams, he said: “Great home crowd, great atmosphere. It’s a very tough place for people to come when we perform like that today.
“We’ve been sensational against top of the table teams, but these three points is the same as Port Vale; three points is three points.”
Skubala mentioned multiple aspects of the game that could be classed as defining moments, including Reeco Hackett’s goal-line clearance midway through the second half.
“Other than Sonny, a big defining moment for me was Reeco, defending on the line to put it onto the bar.
“I think in games like this, top games always have moments to define them, and I think in the end we were creating more than them.”
City’s final game before Christmas leaves them sat on 38 points, just three behind leaders Cardiff and in second place ahead of their boxing day bout at Edgeley Park against fellow high-flyers Stockport County.
Skubala couldn’t be prouder of his team so far, saying: “They’re a really good group, they’re sensational to work with every day, they work so hard for the badge, and they just want to keep churning out points.
“Let’s see where we are at the end of January, but we’re a good team, we’re a good group of young men that work hard.”