Lincoln United secured a massive three points in their 2-1 comeback win over relegation rivals Newton Aycliffe, putting them seven points clear of the drop zone.
A penalty from Alan Power and a Connor Brown goal within ten minutes of the reset were enough to overcome the visitors 1-0 lead and put United 15th in the Northern Premier League East Division.
The Whites went into the game five points clear of the drop zone in 17th place, favourites to beat a struggling Newton Aycliffe side sitting 2oth in the league, coming off the back of a 3-1 loss to Hallam FC.
United had also lost 3-1 in their previous outing, with interim manager Dave Frecklington making three changes from the starting 11 that lost to Consett.
A sucker-punch goal
It was a promising start for Lincoln United in the sunshine, as they dominated all of the ball and sent a handful of crosses into the box early doors. Haydn Havard managed to get the first shot on target in the sixth minute, forcing Nathan Fisher to push it behind for a corner.
Havard would force another save out of the visitors goalkeeper exactly ten minutes later as Fisher got down low to prevent the Whites number seven’s outside of the box effort from finding the bottom corner.
United kept up the pressure, with Connor Brown striking the post on 25 minutes after Kane Hutchinson-Wilkes found him with an excellent cross into the box.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead against the run of play, as Jack Camarda whipped in a free-kick that beat Heath Richardson with the help of a deflection to make it 1-0 after 36 minutes.
An instant reply
Frecklington made three changes at half-time in attempt to salvage the game, bringing on returning signing Jack Varley, Andy Janssen and Max Baker for Charlie Carlisle, Hutchinson-Wilkes and Havard.
The substitutes worked instantly as just three minutes into the half United took advantage of their momentum, winning a penalty through Brown that was converted by Alan Power for the equaliser.
And Brown would give United the lead in the 52nd minute, doing fantastically well to stay on his feet despite being shirt pulled, and finding the bottom corner with ease.
A free-kick just before the hour mark almost gave United daylight, as a header won by Power found Owen Vincent unmarked at the far post, but the attacker couldn’t direct the ball goalwards from point blank range.
United attackers Brown and Vincent both had huge chances to make it 3-1 and potentially kill the game with just over 20 minutes to go, but two fine saves from Fisher kept the visitors to within just a goal of the Whites.
Despite that, just the two goals were enough for the Whites to take all three points at the Sun-Hat Villas & Resorts Stadium, moving up to 15th in the league and seven points clear of relegation with a trip to Brighouse Town up next on Wednesday night.