Michael Skubala’s Lincoln City made it 15 league games unbeaten with a dominant victory over a travelling Northampton Town side, that sees them keep pace with table-topping Cardiff City.
Goals from Ryan Oné, Jack Moylan, Ivan Varfolomeev and Rob Street secured all three points, in a free-flowing Imps performance.
A solid first 45
The first chance of the game fell to the hosts in the eighth minute, as Jack Moylan picked out Freddie Draper, but the forward’s strike was down the throat of Ross Fitzsimons, who held easily.
The Imps took the lead in the 11th minute, as Ryan Oné marked his first Lincoln City start with a goal, after Draper played through the young loanee.
The visitors didn’t respond well to going behind, with a flurry of Imps chances.
Jack Moylan found the head of Sonny Bradley with a deliciously curled cross but the former Luton man headed over, before Draper swiped at a half volley.
Some improvisation from Moylan almost doubled the Imps lead, although his first touch looked to have failed him.
However, his second was magical, allowing him to strike a venomous half volley from 20 yards, that was tipped over the top.
The first time the visitors ventured forward with intent came as the halftime whistle approached, with Tom Hamer making an important block, before the second effort was held comfortably by George Wickens.
Seconds before the interval, Ryan Oné had the chance to double his tally and City’s lead but his header was straight at the ‘keeper.
Put the game to bed
Michael Skubala’s side started the second half as they ended the first, as Ben House headed goalwards, but his headed effort flew over the top.
Moylan doubled the Imps lead in the 51st minute, as a mistake from Fitzsimons allowed the Irishman to capitalise and thread a finish into the bottom corner.
Jack Vale was shown a red card just a minute after the visitors changed shape, as the former Imps loanee was sent off for a foul on Ben House.
The Imps were denied a third in the 64th minute, as a remarkable save prevented Rob Street from getting in on the action.
The chances kept coming, as a Tom Bayliss corner flew straight in, but the referee’s whistle had gone for a foul.
The Imps pressure was unrelenting, as tidy play between Tendayi Darikwa and Ryan Oné, allowed the latter to square the ball to Rob Street who was denied once again, with Tom Bayliss firing the rebound goalwards but it was deflected wide.
Ivan Varfolomeev got straight in on the act with 20 minutes left, as with his first touches, he answered the crowd’s urges to shoot and picked out the top corner from 25 yards.
Rob Street made it four just a matter of minutes later, as he pounced on the rebound of Ryan One’s parried effort and hammered home.
City saw out the closing stages comfortably in front of the 9,242 home crowd, with little in terms of goalmouth action for either side.
Jack Evans was introduced in the closing stages for Kevin Nolan’s side and Ryan Oné struck the post, with Dom Jefferies seeing an effort denied before the referee’s whistle drew the game to a close.
The win for the Imps sees them remain four points off top of the league Cardiff City, with a comfortable gap over third place Bolton Wanderers. They make the short trip to Mansfield Town on Saturday.
For Northampton Town, they drop closer to the relegation zone, with a home tie against fellow relegation rival, Leyton Orient.