Lincoln United’s interim manager Dave Frecklington was quick to praise 20-year-old striker Connor Brown after his brace lifted the Whites to a 2-1 win against Heaton Stannington.
The result moved United up to 15th in the Northern Premier League East Division table as they climbed ahead of Saturday’s opponents Bishop Auckland as well as Silsden AFC and Newton Aycliffe.
Connor Brown opened the scoring just before the half hour mark to give his side the lead.
United had chances to expand their one goal advantage after the interval but couldn’t take any and were hit with a sucker punch when Billy Bradley was penalised for handball in the box.
Nicky Deverdics converted the penalty, levelling the game for the visitors, before Brown netted once again in the 76th minute to deservedly secure all three points for the Whites.
When asked the importance of Brown in relation to United’s survival this season, interim manager Frecklington said: “He is massive, he’s such a big player for us.
“He’s absolutely been on fire since we took over, he’s got freedom to go and express himself and that’s showing in his goals.
“He’ll interest a lot of teams higher up the pyramid, he’ll play higher, but again he’s enjoying his football, a Lincoln lad and its definitely great to have him about.”
It was a fully deserved win for Lincoln United, who could’ve ran away with the game after going 1-0 up, before being dealt a blow with the penalty decision deep into the second half.
On the overall performance of the team, Frecklington said: “The players have just been outstanding.
“Really tough game today off the back of a tough performance and game against Garforth, we’ve just got to keep nicking points but I thought we fully deserved the win tonight.
“Excellent first half, we should’ve been three or four nil up, wasn’t and we got pegged back for a penalty; but we managed to find the courage to go and get the winner.
“Delighted with the performance and delighted with the three points because that’s what it’s all about.”