Lincoln City knew what needed to be done to secure promotion to the EFL Championship today and they did their job as Ryan One’s late winner secured a 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
However, what could have been a dream day instead just turned into a day of delight as Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County both found three points themselves.
It’s three points that now leaves Lincoln City needing just one more to secure promotion to the second tier for the first time since 1961.
Despite that, Michael Skubala was keen to reinforce in the lead up to the game that the potential chance of clinching promotion didn’t affect his sides preparation.
However, the March international break did, as Ivan Varfolomeev dropped to the bench after he only returned from representing Ukraine Under 21’s the day before the game.
He was replaced by Tom Bayliss in what was the only change from the side that beat Rotherham United 3-0 last time out.
A half of anticipation:
Lincoln City’s start reflected the atmosphere early on as Reeco Hackett broke down the right inside the first minute and managed to find Conor McGrandles, but his half volley was well held by Nathan Bishop.
The Imps then continued that dominance throughout the opening 25 minutes before Rob Street broke through and looked to square the ball to Ben House, but it narrowly evaded him.
Wimbledon then came forward themselves with five minutes of the half remaining as Antwoine Hackford had a shot well blocked by Ryley Towler.
That brought an end to a very end-to-end half in which both sides had chances but neither really looked like scoring.
One more point
However, it was the visitors that then seemed to start the second half the brighter as Zack Nelson and Hackford both struck over from 18-yards out in the opening ten minutes.
Although, the Imps looked to have a strong claim for a penalty as a long free kick found Ryley Towler six-yards from goal and the crowd seemed to think he was pulled down from behind, but the referee said no.
The visitors continued to apply the pressure going into the final 15 minutes as Zack Nelson squandered the best chance of the half when he volleyed over from 12-yards.
That wasn’t something that phased the Imps as they kept pushing until the end and Ryan Oné managed to secure the victory with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
A free-kick was crossed in from the right and an on-rushing Nathan Bishop could only punch the ball against the attacker which left Oné to turn the ball into an empty net from a yard-out.
That was how the game ended as the Imps continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack while the visitors didn’t really threaten from a series of set pieces.
That now means that Lincoln City head to the Select-Car Leasing Stadium on Monday requiring just a point to secure promotion.