Two goals from Jack Moylan, were enough to see Lincoln City secure a 2-1 win at the LNER Stadium against relegation threatened Burton Albion.
Michael Skubala named an unchanged side from the one that secured a point on the road against Luton Town last Saturday.
As a Victory against the Brewers was crucial in the Imps’ hopes for promotion as it moved them to within three points of league leaders Cardiff City.
A tactical battle:
The visitors dug their heels into the game and made it a frustrating opening, leaving a close fought, mostly actionless beginning to the game.
However, Lincoln City winger Reeco Hackett still found the space down the right managed to fire a shot into the side netting just four minutes in.
The deadlock was broken however in the 35th minute, when a long ball from experienced defender Sonny Bradley got Lincoln into a dangerous position.
Some good hold up play from Freddie Draper, unlocked space for Irishman Moylan on the edge of the box.
He rifled a low driven shot into the bottom right corner, which kissed the post as it went in; the game had gone from dormant to active within seconds.
And alive the game remained, as Burton Albion found a response less than two minutes later.
That came as Brewers wing-back Jack Armer beat his man to deliver a beautiful cross into the path of Burton number 9 Jake Beesley, who scuffed the chance home to get the visitor’s level.
The quick equaliser rejuvenated an otherwise toothless Burton Albion, releasing a flurry of attacks to close the half.
Goalscorer Beesley diverted a header from a well whipped cross over the bar, which ended the half a goal apiece to the two teams.
Job done after the break
The Brewers picked up where they let off at the start of the second half, committing men forward in the hunt of a lead.
The deep and curved crosses continued to trouble the Imps five minutes after the break as Kgaogelo Chauke’s attempt worked its way to the back post.
That was where Kyran Lofthouse was waiting but his acrobatic effort narrowly missed contact of the ball.
It was perhaps this aggressive play from the visitor’s which left them exposed to the counter attacks. As in the blink of an eye some tremendous work from City fullback Adam Reach founded an opportunity for Draper to drill a chance at goal.
Brewers’ goalkeeper Bradley Collins managed to parry the attempt, but only into the path of the waiting Moylan who poked it home to grab his second and restore the lead for Skubala’s side.
With the score 2-1, the game began to devolve back to a scrappier affair, with neither team getting a look in on goal.
Burton had one last attempt in the 88th minute, as Ugandan international Toby Sibbick managed to deliver a bullet header, which crashed into the side netting.
That missed chance, and some disciplined defending from the Imps saw out a narrow 2-1 win for Lincoln. Which makes it ten consecutive league games in a row without a defeat.
Up next, the side have a huge promotion bout against Bradford City at the LNER on Tuesday, as the Imps have the potential opportunity, to open up a nine point gap to the side in third place.