Lincoln City 1, Stevenage 0
Lincoln City earned three points against the league leaders Stevenage at the LNER Stadium after an early kick-off on Saturday.
After creating a host of chances the breakthrough the Imps eventually came via Rob Street (pictured above) who nestled the decider into the top corner after 70 minutes.
Michael Skubala made three changes to his team following the most recent international break as Conor McGrandles returned to the starting 11 as well as Reeco Hackett and Tom Hamer. Jamie Pardington was recalled from his loan at AFC Telford to replace Zach Jeacock, who picked up a shoulder injury, on the City bench.
The visitors started the day top of the Sky Bet League One table after winning eight of their opening 10 games of the campaign, but Skubala’s tactics proved effective and he felt his side deserved its win after it created the majority of the chances and stood firm at the back.
“It was a big win - we wanted to put things right after the Exeter game. I thought we played very well against Exeter, but didn’t get the result, so I'm pleased we got what we deserved against Stevenage.
“We knew the importance of the game and the result we wanted, so it was brilliant to get it.
“In the first half we created loads of opportunities, the plan was to get in-behind them and we did that.
“I feel like we had the majority of the chances and we got our reward in the end. You can tell why they are top of the league; they are solid and can hurt you in attack.
“I really liked our defensive structure, we didn’t really give them a sniff and kept going right until the end.”
Skubala also City’s supporters, who he felt helped the team over the line.
He added: “I thought the crowd were absolutely sensational and got right behind us. When they were chucking it on us at the end and we had tired legs out there, they helped us through.
“The team needed a lift and they gave us that and you could see that it added that little bit of energy to the group.
“It was great to celebrate with them at the end. We’ve got five tough away games coming up and that has set us up well for them.”
Goal scorer Rob Street was delighted with the victory and his part in it: “It was always going to be a tough game, but I think we should have probably won by more.
“We knew we had to fight out there, they are a good team and are up there for a reason.
“Obviously I’m delighted with the win and to get on the scoresheet too. It was a proper League One game and the goal typified that.
“The ball was bouncing around in the box - I put my foot through it and thankfully it went in.”
The Imps are now preparing for those five successive away games in all competitions starting with next Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient.
While Street admitted that the run of fixtures will be tough, he believes it will be a good challenge for the side.
Street added: “It’ll be a few weeks now until we’re back here at the LNER Stadium, so we knew it was important to send them home with a good result.
“We have some tough games coming up, but they are games that we’re looking forward to.
“There are no easy games at this level, the quality of the opposition means every game will be tough. We just need to keep going and putting in good performances.”
Attendance – 8,451 (499 away)
Picture: Vaughan Photography
www.weareimps.com