Lincoln City Football Club

Luke Foster returned at the expense of the rested Nat Brown for this Skrill Premier game against Nuneaton Town at Gelder Group Sincil Bank Stadium as manager Gary Simpson made just the one change to his squad following the weekend success over FC Halifax Town.

City kicked off attacking the Bridge McFarland Stand and it was a cagey opening to the game with both teams taking their time to settle into proceedings. In fact it took until the 10th minute for the first attempt at goal to come along with Paul Farman at full stretch to tip behind a James Armson drive.

The resultant corner was easily dealt with whilst at the other end a surging run down the flank by Delano Sam-Yorke saw the striker sprint past the challenges only to see his attempted cross blocked.

Nuneaton pressed again in the 18th minute and after Charlee Adams was robbed of possession midway inside his own half, the ball eventually found its way to Adam Walker who looked up before curling home a superb left-footed effort which dipped over Farman and into the net for the opening goal.

City looked for a response six minutes later with good work by skipper Alan Power seeing him win a corner but the set-piece came to nothing when Thierry Audel was harshly penalised for a high boot.

Town's next attack saw Armson test Farman for a second time before a knock to Dave Hibbert's head brought about a lengthy break in play. The Town man looked to be in some discomfort as he was helped to the touchline for further attention.

Although Hibbert returned he certainly looked to be in trouble and was replaced by ex-Imp Greg Pearson after an offside flag robbed Todd Jordan of an equaliser. It was a seriously dazed Hibbert who was helped to the dressing rooms.

In the first of three added minutes Farman got down well to claim an Andy Brown strike and this was the only incident of note before referee Evans blew for the break.

HT: IMPS 0 NUNEATON 1

Both teams emerged unchanged for the start of the second period athough there appeared to be a tactical switch for the Imps with Ben Tomlinson moving in to a more central striking role.

The first half chance of the second half saw Farman save from Pearson as Town continued to look threatening on the break. City, meanwhile, were offering little in terms of an attacking threat in contrast to their showing against Halifax at the weekend.

Nuneaton duly doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when a free-kick from their left was met by an unmarked Theo Streete who powered in a header which gave Farman no chance.

Tomlinson was presented with a chance to halve the arrears when Emmitt Delfouneso made a hash of a clearance but the in-form striker snatched at his effort and it went well wide.

At the other end Walker won a corner after Tomlinson gave possession away cheaply whilst from their next attack in the 68th minute, Nuneaton hit the crossbar when Brown hooked in an effort following a cross by York down the right.

A minute later Armson was booked for foul on Robinson and when ALAN POWER drilled in the resultant free-kick low and hard it somehow evaded everyone before crashing into the bottom corner of James Belshaw's net.

City immediately brought on Mitch Austin and Jake Sheridan for Robinson and Adams but the momentum that threatened following Power's goal failed to materialise with Nuneaton stifling the Imps when they reached the attacking third.

Walker had a chance to restore his side's two-goal cushion when he stabbed a shot a foot wide whilst at the other end a deflected Sam-Yorke effort led to a corner which ended up seeing Jordan have a shot charged down six-yards out.

Another City corner quickly followed and this ended up with Power volleying inches wide from 20 yards out. City kept up the pressure with a Miller throw leading to another corner but this ended with Power slicing well wide.

The Fourth Official indicated that a minimum of three minutes were to be added on and in the closing stages of these, Sam-Yorke and Cowan were booked for off-the-ball incident before a Miller throw fell to Jordan who saw his effort crash against a Town man before keeper Belshaw gathered.

FT: IMPS 1 NUNEATON 2

9 Danny ROWE

12 Jake SHERIDAN (for ADAMS 70)

15 Dan GRAY

19 Jon NOLAN

28 Mitch AUSTIN (for ROBINSON 70)

GOAL: POWER (70)

BOOKING: SAM-YORKE (90+3)

2 Chimdi AKUBUINE

15 Delroy GORDON

17 Connor TAYLOR

18 Greg PEARSON (for HIBBERT 39)

20 Phil TRAINER

GOAL: WALKER (18)

BOOKINGS: ARMSON (69), COWAN (90+3)

ATTENDANCE: 1,772 (48 visiting supporters)