Lincoln City 1, Shrewsbury Town 1
City were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Shrewsbury Town but extended their unbeaten home record to five games at the LNER Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Imps made a dream start when Tom Bayliss opened the scoring against his former club after four minutes, but the away side – fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table - hit back through Aaron Pierre midway through the first half.
Despite pushing hard for a winner, City were forced to settle for a share of the spoils after host of missed opportunities.
Head coach Michael Skubala made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Charlton Athletic last time out. Jovon Makama came out of the team after the boss confirmed that the attacker would be out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, he was replaced by Joe Gardner. Reeco Hackett, Tom Bayliss and Lewis Montsma also came into the XI, with Ben House, Ethan Hamilton and Tom Hamer making way.
The away side – knowing their relegation to Sky Bet League Two would be confirmed with a defeat – equalised with 23 minutes gone. A ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the home side and fell to Lloyd, who cut the ball back for Pierre to tap into an empty net to restore parity.
The result means the Shrews, under former Imps’ boss Michael Appleton, cling on to their League One status by the barest of margins.
Skubala was pleased that the point extended his side’s unbeaten home run in the league to five matches, but admitted his team lacked intensity at times in the end of season clash.
He said: “Frustration is the overriding feeling from the game, I thought we started really brightly but took our foot off the gas a little bit.
“We conceded a sloppy goal and then it became a different game, because they had something to hold onto and could sit in a low block. I felt we lacked a little bit of intensity to open them up.”
Skubala praised the attitude of Zane Okoro (below) after handing the Academy graduate his league debut during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town at the LNER Stadium.
The 17-year-old had previously been involved for the Imps in the Emirates FA Cup and Vertu Trophy and was introduced in the 68th minute against Salop.
Alongside Okoro, Skubala was also able to hand Ethan Erhahon his first appearance for the Imps since February following a long injury.
Skubala said: “He’s been with us for some time, he’s a super talent and has a really good attitude.
“We’ve had him in and around the dressing room and he’s been travelling with us to get used to the environment and I think that experience has really benefited him.
“We felt it was the right time to bring him onto the pitch. It was a step up for him and I think he handled it really well.
“We don’t want to push Ethan Erhahon too early, but it was good to have him back on the pitch, he got hold of the ball and really tried to get us going. It was a positive display from him.”
After making his first league appearance for the Imps, Okoro said: “It was a special moment for me personally, the staff had prepared me really well for that moment, so it felt comfortable when I was out there.
“I’ve been in and around the environment for a long time now and that experience has certainly helped me.
“I’ll take any opportunity that comes my way, and I’m really pleased that the head coach showed faith in me.”
The Imps’ next match is away at Reading on Good Friday and the team is back in action at the LNER stadium on Easter Monday when it will take on Bolton Wanderers.
Pictures: Vaughan Photography
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