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Imps Reserves 1 Hartlepool Reserves 1

Posted on: Thu 04 Mar 2010

James Reid grabbed his second goal in two games as City's Reserves came from behind to salvage a draw at home to Hartlepool United on Wednesday afternoon.

Despite suffering an early set-back with James Brown's goal in the third minute, trialist Reid fired in a superb equaliser for City on 33 minutes.

Lincoln improved after the break and offered more going forward, but were unable to find a winner and had to settle for their third draw in four games.

Match Report by Aron Hegarty

Before play started, a minute's silence was held in memory of Imps' legend Keith Alexander, whose death on the morning of the match had been announced just hours before kick-off.

In a surprise move, midfielder Shane Clarke was played at centre-half and his partnership with Danny Hone got off to the worst possible start with Hartlepool opening the scoring after just three minutes. The Imps failed to deal with a corner and James Brown prodded the ball in from close range.

There was further woe as City were forced to make a change only eight minutes in. Nathan Adams came on for the injured Lenell John-Lewis.

Adams had a shout for a penalty waved away on 18 minutes when he was bundled over in the box. Brown then curled an effort wide for the visitors as they bossed possession.

Scott Lindsey then withdrew midfielder Clark Keltie in the 27th-minute. On in his place went Sam Clucas as City's injury problems started mounting.

James Reid equalised for the Imps out of nothing on 33 minutes. The young midfielder was given time and space outside the area before coolly planting a shot past Mark Cook into the right corner.

The challenges were flying in thick and fast in a physical game with both Jake Gibson and Hone needing treatment before they could continue on.

Bill Greulich stroked an effort across the face of an open goal on half-time after a mix-up between Paul Musselwhite and his defenders.

Half Time - Imps 1 Pools 1

Lincoln came out early for the start of the second-half, but Musselwhite had to be at his best to block Brown at the edge of his area in the 51st-minute.

City though began to apply more pressure afterwards with some testing crosses into Hartlepool's box. Clucas just failed to connect with a ball in from the right on 65 minutes.

Paul Connor was then replaced by Rob Brewer with 20 minutes to go as the Imps pushed forward and caused the visiting defence problems.

Hartlepool occasionally threatened on the counter and Musselwhite twice denied substitute Michael Mackay with five minutes left. First getting down well to gather a low cross and then smothering Mackay as he was about to shoot.

There were two minutes of injury-time and substitute Callum Martin almost snatched it for the visitors at the near post from a cross, but City held on.

Full Time - Imps 1 Pools 1

Lincoln: Musselwhite, Enstone, Gibson, Oakes, Hone, Clarke, Keltie, Reid, John-Lewis, Connor, Gordon.
Subs: Davies, Draper, Clucas, Adams, Brewer.

Hartlepool: Cook, McSweeney, Purvis, Rowell, Bjornsson, Haslam, Vinther (Liddle 63), Power, Greulich, Brown (Mackay 69), Fredriksen (Martin 75).
Subs not used: Herbert, Marron.