Lincoln City extended their stay at the top of the SkyBet League One, beating Stockport County at the LNER Stadium in an entertaining 3-1 win.
A buzzing LNER Stadium welcomed back the league leaders for the first time this month, with tough away wins at Cardiff City and Exeter already secured under their belt.
Three changes were made by Michael Skubala to the team that saw out a narrow win against Exeter, Ben House made way for Reeco Hackett, Ivan Varfolomeev started over Tom Bayliss and Ryley Towler replaced Adam Reach.
A goal to the good
The Imps started on a positive note, with the first big chance of the game coming from the in-form Jack Moylan in the tenth minute. The ball fell to the edge of the box for the Irishman to strike low and on target but fortunately for the visitors, Stockport’s ‘keeper Corey Addai was down low to push the attempt wide for a corner.
It was from this corner that Reeco Hackett whipped in a dangerous cross, which Stockport defenders struggled to get clear and the ball broke loose near the goalmouth. It was Jack Moylan, who had signed a contract extension until 2030 only days prior, who reacted first, bolting to the goal to poke home the opener, giving Lincoln an early lead.
The goal inspired Stockport to grow into the game, the Hatters took the lion share of possession in the remainder of the half, constantly probing at an organised and well drilled Lincoln defence.
The half ended 1-0, with Lincoln’s tiny 25% of possession being enough to edge a lead over a dominant Stockport team.
The visitors respond
County clearly rued the missed chances in the first half as they were much more aggressive at the start of the second. A tactical change in the 56th minute saw defender Joseph Olowu make way for attacker and former Lincoln player Jack Diamond.
Diamond wasted no time in making an impact, teeing up teammate Ben Osborn with a lovely cross into the box, the header forced a remarkable save from George Wickens, who darted to his left to push the shot over the bar.
County kept applying pressure, much like they had in the first half. It was the 68th minute when the Lincoln defence finally was beaten, Ben Osborne picked up the ball just past the halfway line out wide on the left, before sending a pinpoint pass into the six yard box, where Jack Diamond’s cushioned header guided it in to equalise.
Both teams started making good chances in the final 15 minutes, the game becoming more end to end. County came close with substitute Diamond nearly putting home another cross, this one narrowly flying past the left post.
But it was Lincoln who converted their late chances, an 87th minute free kick floated into the box was poorly cleared by Stockport’s defence, letting the ball drop to the feet of the experienced Tendayi Darikwa, who’s shot deflected off a defenders leg and hit the back of the net, restoring Lincoln’s lead late on.
Stockport pushed up the pitch looking for a winner in added time, leaving them exposed for a long ball from Wickens. The pass was well controlled by substitute Alfie Lloyd, leading to him making a remarkable run into Stockport’s box. The loanee glided past the defenders, giving himself space to drill home his first goal of the season just before the final whistle, topping off a fantastic 3-1 win for Lincoln City.
Focus now moves to the midweek fixture, as Lincoln will travel to the Accu Stadium to face Huddersfield Town, providing a chance for Lincoln to further secure their spot at the top, with the end of the season looming ever nearer.