Lincoln 2, Wigan Athletic 2
City extended their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions but were forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic at the LNER Stadium on Saturday.
In an entertaining goal, City came from behind to lead at the break with two goals from James Collins overturning Paul Mullin’s early opener.
The Latics equalised in the second half through Callum Wright, before both teams finished the game with 10 men.
Michael Skubala made one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town in their last league outing, with Adam Jackson coming in to replace the suspended Sonny Bradley.
City took the early initiative but it was the visitors who went in front after Tickle collected a free kick from halfway and immediately sent Mullin through, who kept his composure to round Wickens and tap into an empty net with 10 minutes gone.
City were awarded a penalty with 30 minutes played when Saydee was penalised for a foul on Towler from a corner. James Collins duly stepped up to convert from the spot and grab his 200th EFL goal.
Goal 201 was not too far behind as McGrandles and Hackett worked a corner short with the latter picking out Towler, who diverted the ball into Collins’ path, with the forward applying a poacher’s finish to turn the game on its head.
After half-time the Lactics equalised when Saydee latched onto a ball over the top before clipping a cross towards Wright, who peeled off Darikwa to head into an empty net.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men after Saydee was sent off for a straight red card for a late tackle on Bayliss with just over 20 minutes left to play.
Seven minutes later, City were also down to 10 men, when Rob Street was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Adeko.
City head coach Michael Skubala said the draw was a fair result and praised Collins’ goal-scoring prowess: Collo got his goals, which is magnificent and he was a real handful again. His penalty was great and he was on the move for the second one too.
“When you get James Collins in the box, you know he’s going to score, the challenge for us is to get him more opportunities.
“It’s a great achievement for James, you just have to look Saturday to realise why he has managed to score so many goals, particularly his second goal where he’s on the move when everyone else is stood still.
“When the dust settles on Monday, I think we’ll reflect on a good point against a really good side.”
Attendance: 8,208 (581 away)
Pictures: Vaughan Photography
www.weareimps.com