Lincoln City have been no strangers to big games this season, so a loud away end in a local derby had to be expected as Peterborough’s fan allocation was completely sold out.
Just shy of 10,000 fans were in attendance at the LNER Stadium as the Imps came to a 5-2 victory to go joint top of Sky Bet League One.
Both sides came into this one unbeaten in their last six games, but it’s lincoln who have come out on top the last two times these teams faced each other before this one.
Imps in control
The first chance of the game came from an early Peterborough free kick sailed high into the away end inside the opening five minutes
Lincoln started to build pressure a few minutes later carving out a few neat passes, until Ivan Varfolomeev blazed a hopeful effort over the bar.
Just before the ten minute mark, it was the Posh who almost took the lead as Brandon Khela curled a delightful strike just outside of the far post.
Declan Frith was next in line to scare the home fans as his effort just three minutes later flew narrowly over the Imps’ goal.
Draper found himself latched onto a loose ball in behind the Peterborough defence, but he could only drag a tame effort into the arms of Alex Bass.
Peterborough seemed to be in complete control of the game so it came as no surprise when in the 24th minute Harry Leonard fired home from close range to put the visitors 1-0 up.
A break in play seemed to spark some life into Skubala’s side as just moments later Reeco Hackett pulled the hosts level from the middle of the area after he was found by Darikwa after a fantastic one-two.
The momentum of the game had completely swung in the direction of the hosts after that concession.
The ball fell to Darikwa 25-yards out following a free kick, but his fierce volley was tipped over the bar
On the stroke of half time, Darikwa spun away from three defenders before finding Reach with a delightful switch.
The Lincoln left back sent in an inviting cross which was eventually converted by Freddie Draper.
Seven minutes were added on before half time and in the third of those minutes, Darikwa finally got the goal he deserved as he hammered home from outside the area to put Lincoln 3-1 up going into the break.
More of the same
Lincoln started the second half clearly in the mood to extend their lead as Reach’s cross found Street who could only glance it over the bar.
Peterborough looked to find a way back into the game and they found just that as a goal from Lisbie made it 3-2.
Less than a minute later, reach restored the two-goal lead as he scored yet again for Lincoln City.
As the clock reached 67 minutes, Peterborough had started to get a foothold in the game again with a good spell of possession, but Lincoln’s back line continued to hold strong with Sonny Bradley dominating the duals in the air.
Reeco Hackett went for the spectacular but his overhead kick was turned away before claims for a Lincoln penalty were quickly dismissed by the referee.
There looked to be no way back for the visitors towards the last ten minutes as Lincoln continued to pile on the pressure, not letting their opponents out of their own half.
Just over five minutes before the end, The Imps looked to extend their advantage, only for Obikwu to be denied by a miraculous save from Bass.
As injury time started, Lincoln added insult to injury. Darikwa found himself through against the keeper and made no mistake in dispatching his second and Lincoln’s fifth of the afternoon.
After a dominant display from The Imps, a 5-2 score line sums the game up perfectly. The red and white army continue their attack on League One, their charge on the title and their incredible home form this season.
That result put the Imps level on points with Cardiff City who face Wigan Athletic at 15:00.
The Imps on the other hand now face a week off due to next weekends FA Cup fixtures before they travel to Luton Town on January 17.