Lincoln City secured a crucial point against Southampton thanks to new man Mikkel Ladefoged’s late header, extending their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions.
With the transfer window now firmly in the rear-view mirror, Lincoln City faced up against a former member of the Premier League, Southampton in another massive test for the Imps at the ProAmpac Stadium.
The Imps went into the game on a three game unbeaten run having drawn 0-0 against Blackburn Rovers on deadline day, a match they could’ve won given their opponent played with ten men for over 30 minutes.
Before that however Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen’s men were able to pick up back-to-back wins, first thrashing Blackpool in the Carabao Cup by a scoreline of 4-1 and then picking up their first ever win in the EFL Championship by beating Bolton Wanderers 1-0.
Sublime strike breaks the deadlock
Lincoln almost broke the deadlock with just 30 seconds played as the hosts did well to progress the ball up the field, with it eventually finding the feet of Andrei Coubis. The defender whipped the ball in brilliantly from the right-hand side to Rob Street who was unable to convert his chance into a goal.
Nothing seemed to work for the Saints early doors, with the Imps being able keep up the pressure as they allowed Street to have another brilliant opportunity with 15 minutes played. George Wickens booted the ball from his box into the chest of Freddie Draper, who was able to lay the ball to Street whose shot landed directly at goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.
Known for his brilliance from dead-ball situations, James Ward-Prowse found himself standing over a free-kick in a relatively dangerous position 26 minutes in after a foul by Deji Elerewe. Wickens was not tested, however, as the former England international’s effort sailed wide of the goal.
With 33 minutes on the clock, Adam Reach did incredibly well to send the ball to the opposite flank where Coubis expertly put a dangerous ball into the box, but nobody was quite able to get a perfect shot off for the Imps.
It was the visitors who struck first though just before half-time as Ward-Prowse laid the ball off to Welington, who was left completely unmarked around 35 yards from goal. The Brazilian full back struck the ball cleanly, leaving Wickens with no chance as the tremendous effort flew into the back of the net.
Ladefoged to the rescue!
Leo Scienza had two brilliant chances to enhance the visitors’ lead after the interval, with his first seeing him cut inside and shoot from outside the box, although the effort failed to challenge Wickens as it lofted over the bar.
His second opportunity came in the 61st minute, and saw a similar build-up, but this time, Scienza’s curled effort came a lot closer, striking both goalposts before Wickens could safely collect the ball.
Right after being introduced, Imps new signing Chieo Ogbene came very close to equalising, with his shot being fired right at the goalkeeper after some brilliant build-up play.
Record signing Mikkel Ladefoged was introduced to the game in the 65th minute and kept getting into the correct positions, showing encouraging signs for the hosts until he would eventually he would reap his rewards.
A ball from the left-hand side in the 88th minute found its way perfectly onto his head, with the Danish striker guiding the ball past the visitor’s goalkeeper. And with just three minutes left, the Imps did well to hold onto the well earned point, with the game ending at 1-1.
Lincoln City’s attention now turns to the south of the country as the team will head to Bournemouth on Tuesday for their fixture against the Premier League outfit in the third round of the EFL Carabao Cup.