Lincoln City were pegged back by Luton Town in a four goal classic that put the Imps three points clear of third place following a 2-2 draw.
Freddie Draper and Rob Street scored two headed goals to give the visitors a significant advantage, but Luton fought back and earned a point via goals from Gideon Kodua and Nahki Wells.
Lincoln City made one change to the team that beat Peterborough United 14 days ago with Jack Moylan coming in to replace Ryley Towler as Michael Skubala reverted back to his tried and trusted back four formation.
The Imps went into the fixture having not lost a game in the league since November 22, sitting in second place and marking themselves as serious competitors to secure promotion to the Championship.
The City faithful travelled to Bedfordshire in numbers, with 1,238 visiting Imps fans in attendance.
A half of three headers and a worldie
The first strike of the game came just two minutes in when Jordan Clark found himself with acres of space in the middle of the park; he played in Emilio Lawrence, however, the Scotsman couldn’t keep his powerful effort down.
It took just 11 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by the visitors as a stunning, inch-perfect cross from Jack Moylan on the left-hand side found Freddie Draper in the middle who applied a tidy headed finish to put the Imps ahead.
The Hatters nearly hit back nine minutes later as Lawrence once again tried his luck at goal. On the second occasion, his shot threatened George Wickens – who was forced to make a routine save – but the rebound fell kindly to Gideon Kodua, whose strike flew over the bar.
City then doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute; a Reeco Hackett cross from a free-kick on the right-hand side met Rob Street at the far post, who was able to head home from close range.
Jack Wilshere’s side hit back with a headed goal of their own from a corner in the 34th minute; the whipped cross was slightly too high for Wickens, flying over him and meeting Kodua at the back post, who found the back of the net to halve City’s advantage.
They would then equalise three minutes into injury time at the end of the first half through Nahki Wells, as the striker had an abundance of room which he used to strike a fabulous effort into the bottom-left corner.
A quieter second half
The game nearly saw yet another headed goal just five minutes into the second half as Wells connected with a Lawrence cross and directed the ball goalwards; however, the header flew just over.
Another chance to take the lead would come Town’s way just three minutes later as quick feet from Kodua created space for Joe Johnson to have a crack at goal, but his effort was tipped wide by Wickens.
After an electric start to the half from Luton, the game began to slow down with neither side being able to get a foothold in the match. A free-kick for Luton, given away by Erik Ring in the 70th minute, almost gave the hosts a precious lead in the game as Cohen Bramall’s strike took a deflection and nearly crept into the bottom corner.
And from the resulting corner, the hosts had the ball in the back of the net, but unfortunately for Town, the goal was not given as referee Scott Oldham felt Wickens had been fouled.
However with three minutes to go it was the visitors who came closest to winning the game as Josh Keeley was forced into a fantastic save to deny Ryley Towler.
The whistle blew after four minutes of added time as the game ended 2-2, next up for Lincoln City is a Thursday night clash against Burton Albion at the LNER Stadium.