Lincoln city 0, Rotherham United 1
Imps fans did not get the New Year’s Day treat they were hoping for in a dour encounter at the LNER stadium.
The quality of the football suffered as both teams battled to get something out of the game and, perhaps, start a much-needed reversal of form to start 2025.
But while the footballing fare was a tad grim there was at least a chance the home side might prevail or at least get a point from the game until the 85th minute when the Millers’ Joe Powell found the back of City’s net.
Head coach Michael Skubala expressed the importance of sticking together after the cruel blow and acknowledged his side are in a challenging period.
“It was a tough afternoon, and we’re in a tough spot, but we’ve got to get through this together. It’s not through effort or desire, it’s just things not dropping for us - simple things, but we’ve got to be better.
“We need to get through this as a team, as a club, we’ve got to get our heads down and work hard.
“We have to support the players in these moments because things can become rushed and frantic. It’s my job to get them through it and we’ve got to keep working together.”
Skubala praised the contributions of George Wickens who made several vital saves to keep the Imps in the contest.
He added: “George has been working hard on his shot-stopping from distance and he made three or four brilliant saves.
“He’s growing, and we have to keep moving and growing and trying to eradicate the mistakes.”