Lincoln City Football Club

There were three changes to the starting line-up for this Skrill Premier match at Chester with Nick Wright, Alan Power and Ben Tomlinson all returning; the latter pair back after suspension.

With the sun setting on the shortest day of the year, temperatures were set to drop as referee Wayne Barratt led the two teams out on to what looked to be a bobbly-looking pitch.

Chester kicked off into a strong breeze and were quick to push the home defence on the back-foot with Tomlinson and Wright both linking up early on having gained possession straight from the first whistle.

Chester's response saw Jamie Reed get on the end of a stray Mo Fofana header before dragging a poor effort well wide whilst at the other end the overlapping Sean Newton won a corner which was hurriedly cleared.

Newton was in the action again in the ninth minute but this time it was for the wrong reasons when his poor header away after ex-Imp Joe Heath looped in a cross from the left fell to Jamie Menagh who duly drilled in a 25-yard shot which flew past Paul Farman.

Less than 60 seconds later Menagh bagged his second when he saw his hopeful cross into the box evade everyone before bouncing past Farman and into the bottom corner to double his side's advantage.

City's heads didn't drop though and in the 19th minute a Miller cross was met by Bohan Dixon who saw his looping header dip over John Danby to reduce the arrears, much to the annoyance of the home players and fans whose hopeful appeals for a foul in the box fell on deaf ears.

Midway through the opening period referee Barratt had words with Tomlinson after he handled the ball in an aerial challenge with home skipper George Horan and as the half-hour approached City remained on the offensive with Wright winning a throw which was halted when the assistant spotted an infringement when Miller hurled the ball in.

Drama ensued on that half-hour mark when Miller was taken out by Gareth Seddon who went in horrendously late on the City defender. After consulting with his assistant, Mr Barratt produced a deserved red card to the home striker and before play resumed, John Rooney was cautioned.

The experienced Danny Higginbotham was the next to see yellow after showing dissent towards the assistant after shielding a ball out of play under pressure from Wright. Temperatures continued to head towards boiling point when Luke Foster and Jason Jarrett went for a loose ball; the latter coming off worse in a challenge which the officials deemed fair.

Three added minutes saw more verbals emit from the home contingent before the half ended after a Rooney free-kick flew well over.

HT: CHESTER 2 IMPS 1

Both teams emerged unchanged for the start of the second half and the Imps were quickly on the offensive and 30 seconds in a cross from Power saw Tomlinson blocked off the ball by Michael Kay. Referee Barratt was up with play and was quick to award a penalty. Kay was booked before Power levelled matters from the spot.

The action continued at the other end and when Jason Jarrett got into the box he went down under Newton's challenge; a penalty to the home side this time. Newton was booked for his part in the incident before Rooney blasted his side back in front from 12 yards.

City's response saw Newton come close to making it 3-3 when good play from Wright saw him get the better of his man before squaring for his team mate who saw his goalbound drive blocked by a home defender.

Conner Robinson replaced Mo Fofana on the hour mark for his first Skrill Premier outing of the season; the teenager slotting in an attacking left role as manager Gary Simpson looked for a way back into the game again.

Tomlinson was booked for persistent infringement shortly afterwards before a knock to Wright forced him off with Danny Rowe coming on as his replacement. Menagh was replaced by Tom Peers at the same time.

Rowe's first touch saw him whip in a cross which fell to Miller who blazed over with only Danby to beat. Robinson was then crudely upended by Jarrett who earned a deserved yellow but Rowe drilled the free-kick straight at the wall.

A rare Chester attack saw them win their first corner of the game in the 78th minute and when this was headed straight out of play, Todd Jordan came on for Nat Brown as the hosts won another flag-kick which was claimed by Farman who was duly blocked by Horan who was cautioned.

Good work by Sheridan at the other end made it two corners apiece and when Newton's delivery wasn't dealt with, the ball fell to Rowe who blasted a foot over.

With rain starting to sweep across the ground, Miller tested Danby with a low, skidding effort before Dixon cut in from the right before fizzing a shot over.

As the Fourth Official indicated that a minimum of five minutes were to be added on Craig Lindfield replaced Jamie Reed for the home side with the switch eating up a good 60 seconds of these extra stages.

The home fans were silenced a couple of minutes later when the Imps opened up the Chester defence and when Miller fizzed in a low cross from the right there was Robinson to slide home a leveller.

City won a corner shortly after the restart and before this was taken Kevin McIntyre came on for ex-Imp Joe Heath for the home side. When it was taken it was cleared for a throw-in and when this was cleared play came to a close.

FT: CHESTER 3 IMPS 3