The Easy Way Or the Hard Way?

2nd February 2008

Lincoln City were staring relegation in the face after losing a vital home match against fellow strugglers Mansfield Town last Tuesday evening. This meant that Lincoln had to cause an upset by beating Shrewsbury Town this afternoon, if The Imps were to avoid being dragged nearer the foot of the League Two table.

Things looked bright for Lincoln as they took the lead in the 10th minute when Louis Dodds scored from a free-kick. Lincoln, who have only kept two clean sheets since August, bravely hung on to their lead until the 74th minute. Alas, Scott Kerr conceded a dangerous free-kick, which was executed by Ben Davies for 1-1.

A minute later, Mark Stallard came close to restoring Lincoln's lead when he headed just wide from 6-yards out. However, from then on, Shrewsbury peppered Lincoln's goal with shots, culminating in Imps' goalkeeper Alan Marriott making a couple of good saves, which should help restore his confidence. Marriott's confidence has been low of late, which was not helped by a mistake on Tuesday that gifted Mansfield's Michael Boulding his team's opening goal.

Unlike Tuesday, Lincoln showed some steel at Shrewsbury and managed to regain the lead in the 84th minute when the ball fell kindly to Dodds, whose volley landed in the net for 2-1 to Lincoln. However, like Tuesday, Lincoln threatened to concede an injury time goal, as they did against Mansfield. Fortunately, Marriott made a fine save to deny Kelvin Langmead.

Overall, a much improved performance from Lincoln but how they are cursing losing the six-pointer against Mansfield Town. Lincoln face another six-pointed on Tuesday evening when they travel to Macclesfield Town.

Meanwhile, the transfer window closed on Thursday evening. Unfortunately, Lincoln did not bring in any new faces but they did extend the loan of left-back Lee Ridley until the end of the season. There was just one departure, as winger Ryan Semple departed Lincoln by mutual consent.

Click to view cheap merchandise for Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Mansfield Town or Shrewsbury Town football club.