Lincoln United battled fiercely to earn a point against second place Morpeth Town after a minute of madness saw the game finish 1-1 at the Sun-hat Villas & Resorts Stadium.
The Whites went into the game against Morpeth Town sitting pretty in sixth place in the Northern Premier League East Division, with the chance to go up to third in the league if results went their way.
Dave Frecklington made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Garforth Town with the most notable absence being captain Elliot Dye after his injury on Tuesday night – resulting in Sam Swinn being handed the armband.
The visitors Morpeth similarly enjoyed a great start to the 2026/27 campaign before this fixture, having occupied second in the league with four wins from their last five matches.
A close contest
The Whites were hit with significant pressure early doors, with Morpeth captain Jeffrey Henderson whipping in a dangerous cross into the box that should’ve been struck first time by Louis Burns.
It continued for the next few minutes with Harry Gardiner sending a fierce effort goalwards from just over 20 yards which almost put the visitors ahead ten minutes into the match – but the strike whistled inches over the crossbar.
United survived the early storm however and began to push for the opener themselves as Tom Ward forced a superb save from Daniel Langley after striking the ball cleanly towards the near post from a corner.
And it was the home side that kept showing attacking intent, with captain Swinn and Rio Molyneaux both threatening to break the deadlock. The latter had the far superior of the two chances as a stronger contact from the winger just in front of goal surely would’ve resulted in Lincoln taking the lead.
The half came to a close after another promising attack for the hosts as Liam Moran failed to convert a great opportunity from close range, with his blushes being saved by the offside flag. Both sides went in goalless after a fiercely battled, close first 45 minutes.
A minute of madness
The second half got underway with a feeling that the first goal would be crucial in the affair and the Whites almost did get their noses in front in the 47th minute through young midfielder Mylo Baker, who did well to get on the end of a fantastic cross, but his effort sailed over.
But the visitors couldn’t keep the Whites out for much longer as the teenager went on a fantastic solo run and smashed the ball into the roof of the net in the 53rd minute to make it 1-0 at Ashby Avenue.
But just 90 seconds later Max Monaghen latched onto a loose ball in the six yard box following a corner and directed it over ‘keeper Harvey Lawson to equalise for Morpeth in rapid time.
And before the hour mark the visitors almost snatched the lead, with substitute Mitchell Hancox thumping a sizzling free-kick from around 25 yards which almost rippled the back of the net – but instead flashed wide after a slight deflection.
The game fizzled out after the two goals went in, but with just under ten minutes to go a defensive mishap at the back almost presented substitute Harvey Parkinson-Maynard with a simple tap in, but the away side gathered their bearings and cleared the ball just in time.
Despite some late pressure from the hosts the game ended 1-1 with that result moving Lincoln United up to fifth in the table with 11th place Beverley Town up next on Tuesday night.