Stockport County 3, Lincoln City 2

City pushed Stockport County all the way in an entertaining match at Edgeley Park but could not hold on for a point against the automatic promotion challengers.

Ben House (pictured above) and Erik Ring struck in the first half for the Imps, but the home side - who knew only a victory would keep their hopes of finishing in second alive - threw everything at the second-half and forced their way to victory.

Paudie O’Connor returned to the starting XI, replacing Tom Hamer who dropped out of the matchday squad due to a hip injury,

That was the only change made from the team that impressed in the 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers on Easter Monday.

Tom Hamer dropped out of the matchday squad due to a hip injury, though it is not expected to keep him out beyond this weekend.

Imps head coach Michael Skubala felt there was plenty to learn from the defeat: "I felt we looked good in the first half, we had control and threat in behind, scoring two really good goals. We wanted to come here and have a real good go.

"We just conceded too early in the second half and if that was another 20 minutes later, it could have been a very different game. They brought power and pace off the bench and caused us problems after that. Then they got their second and it was tails up.

"We almost got a point near the end with Jack Moylan hitting the post. We were a whisker away from a point in the end - it's frustrating because we want to win but we learned loads today about what we need to be. It would have been easy to come here with a back five and sit in, but we tried to have a go."

Scorer of the first goal, House added: "It's disappointing because in the first half we were excellent but in the second 45 it was about keeping that energy and belief. They're a really good team and obviously playing for something, but it was tough to take. We were all gutted in the changing room after.

"We had to get tighter to them in the box and defend a lot better as a team. It is definitely something we have to be a lot better at next season."

Pictures: Vaughan Photography

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