Leyton Orient 1, Lincoln City 0
City head coach Michael Skubala has challenged his players to bounce back from Saturday’s narrow defeat to Leyton Orient when they travel to Bradford City tomorrow (7.45pm KO).
The Imps went down 1-0 in the capital to Idris El Mizouni’s second half goal and Skubala (pictured) believes it is good for his side to have another game on the horizon so quickly.
“We have to go again, it is going to be a tough game for us at Bradford but it’s good that it comes up so quickly because you want another game to come around to bounce back.
“The reality is that we have to be at our best in every game we play, because if we aren’t teams will hurt us.
“We have to keep working, I’d rather be creating chances and I think we have been doing that.”
The narrow loss at the BetWright Stadium ended an unbeaten run on the road of more than two months
The Imps were unable to convert opportunities to take the lead in a dominant opening period of the game.
Skubala was forced into one change, with left-back Adam Reach rolling an ankle during training the day before and therefore unable to travel. Ryley Towler came back into the side as a result.
The City Boss had asked for a early action from his side as they looked to take advantage of any nerves from the home side, and he certainly got that - with Ben House rattling the crossbar in just the second minute.
Moments later Conor McGrandles lifted an effort over the bar after a corner was cleared out to him just inside the area before home keeper Killian Cahill pulled off a great block to deny Reeco Hackett from close range - after Freddie Draper had flicked on McGrandles' ball in - inside the opening 10 minutes.
While admitting he was frustrated City didn’t find the net whilst they were on top, the boss was encouraged to see his side still create big opportunities, despite not being at their best.
He added: “In the first 20 minutes we had some good moments but you have to take them. When you come away to a tough place like this, you have to score when you’re on top because the game looks different.
“In the second half, we didn’t have as much control as I'd have liked and when you go 1-0 down it always going to be difficult.
“We perhaps weren’t quite at our best as a team, but we still created some big moments.”
Picture: Vaughan Photography
www.weareimps.com