The Imps still sit top of the Sky Bet League Two table after coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 against Carlisle United in front of a bumper crowd at Sincil Bank.

Michael O’Connor scored a wonder goal between Ashley Nadeson’s two strikes before Bruno Andrade’s free-kick, just before half-time, gave Lincoln the share of the points.  

Lincoln made one change from the 1-1 draw against Cambridge United on Saturday with O’Connor replacing the suspended Ellis Chapman. 

The visitors took an early lead after Adam Campbell’s clipped ball through the Lincoln defence left Carlisle striker Nadesan one-on-one with Imps’ keeper Josh Vickers. 

Nadesan’s shot hit Vickers but still found its way into the bottom right corner of the net.  

The Imps hit back ten minutes later when O’Connor intercepted Adam Collin’s kick, knocked the ball over a Carlisle defender and beautifully smashed the ball past the keeper from 25 yards.  

Lincoln then almost took the lead but Harry Anderson’s shot was smashed into the side netting. 

Claims for a strong penalty appeal then followed when Shay McCartan’s cross adjudged to have hit the hand of Kelvin Etuhu, however referee Neil Hair waved away the protests. 

Nadesan doubled his tally for the evening after Scott Wharton’s header back to Vickers was short and the Carlisle striker was able to pounce and slot the ball through the keeper’s legs. 

Neal Eardley hobbled off not long after Carlisle’s second goal and was replaced by James Wilson.

The Imps came close to equalising again when Matt Rhead met Bruno Andrade’s corner, however his goal-bound effort was expertly headed off the line by Jack Sowerby. 

Lincoln then grabbed their equaliser moments before half-time when Andrade’s free-kick eluded everyone in the box and slipped through the hands of Collin. 

HALF TIME- The Imps 2-2 Carlisle United 

Substitute John Akinde almost made an instant impact with some good hold-up play in the 18-yard box but his drilled cross was unable to find a red and white shirt. 

Moments later Tom Pett threaded a ball through to Akinde and the striker unleashed a fierce shot which was well saved and pushed out for a corner by Collin. 

Carlisle had a chance of their own mid-way through the second half Jerry Yates released a long-range effort, but Vickers was at hand to make the save. 

Ethuhu then had a chance from 30-yards, but his shot blazed over the bar.

Campbell then came close to grabbing a late winner for the visitors when his shot from a tight angle fizzed across the face of goal.

The Imps had their chance to snatch a last minute winner but Akinde’s lobbed shot went over Collin’s head but cleared off the line by a Carlisle defender. 

Full Time

The Imps 2 Carlisle United 2

The Teams

THE IMPS

1 Josh VICKERS

4 Michael O’CONNOR

6 Scott WHARTON

7 Tom PETT

9 Matt RHEAD

11 Bruno ANDRADE

14 Harry TOFFOLO

16 Michael BOSTWICK

17 Shay MCCARTAN

23 Neal EARDLEY

26 Harry ANDERSON

Substitutes

24 Sam SLOCOMBE

2 Kellan GORDON

10 Matt GREEN (’74 for MCCARTEN)

15 James WILSON (’32 for EARDLEY)

18 Bernard MENSAH

29 John AKINDE (’52 for RHEAD)

GOALS: O’Connor 13', Andrade 44'

Carlisle United

30 Adam COLLIN 

5 Anthony GERRARD

8 Mike JONES

12 Macaulay GILLESPHEY

14 Richard BENNETT

15 Regan SLATER

16 Adam CAMPBELL

17 Jerry YATES

18 Jack SOWERBY

21 Kelvin ETUHU

23 Ashley NADESAN

Substitutes

29 Louis GRAY

2 Gary MILLER

11 George GLENDON

24 Sam ADEWUSI

26 Jack EGAN

27 Liam MCCARRON

28 Charlie BIRCH

Goals: Nadestan 6', 27'