The Imps head to Oldham Athletic this evening looking to maintain the lead at the summit of Sky Bet League Two, and build on the five point lead over fourth-placed Mansfield Town.
The Imps currently have 37 points to their name in the SkyBet League Two table after 18 league matches still holding a game in hand over second placed MK Dons who lost 3-2 to Stevenage on Saturday.
Lincoln returned to action after a free weekend following their SkyBet League Two fixture against Yeovil Town being cancelled due to the Glovers having a number of players called up to international duty.
Danny Cowley’s Lincoln City side hosted league rivals Mansfield Town on Saturday with an earlier kick-off time of 1pm.
The Imps took the lead in the 85th minute through substitute Kellan Gordon. This was the 20-year-old’s second goal for City, his first coming against Forest Green Rovers at the start of November when he also came off the bench to find the back of the net.
Mansfield managed to pick up a point through Jacob Mellis’ 93rd minute strike. The Stags are now fourth in the SkyBet League Two table, four points behind Lincoln.
Recent Form
Oldham have failed to keep any consistent form in recent weeks with a mixture of results coming their way. Their most recent game saw the Lactics pick up a point against newly promoted Tranmere Rovers with a 1-1 draw.
Frankie Bunn’s most recent win came against Cambridge United two Saturday’s ago. Oldham came from behind to pick up three points when they put three goals past the U’s in 19 minutes.
George Edmundson bagged Athletic’s equaliser in the 61st minute before Jordan Lyden put his side ahead 14 minutes later. On-loan forward, Callum Lang added a third in front of the Boundary Park home crowd to give Oldham their sixth win of the season.
Last six league games: WLLDWD
League position: 13th
Manager’s comments
Frankie Bunn spoke to Oldham Athletic's official website ahead of the visit of the Imps this evening.
“I think anytime is good to play anyone, everyone's confident at the minute, our performances are improving, and we want to play against the best.” Bunn said.
“At the minute Lincoln are the best and it'll be a tough game like they all are, every game has its challenges.
“Lincoln are the benchmark at the minute, they're a good, strong powerful team, they're well organised and they will be a tough opposition, but the players want to play against the best which Lincoln are at the minute.
“Our squad is getting there, and I keep on repeating myself but it's the truth, we were thrown together in July and we're only touching December now.
“We're still improving and still getting to know each other, we've never had a settled side because we've consistently had injuries or little niggles here and there.
“Everything's hopefully starting to come together now and hopefully you'll see the best of us in the near future.”
Previous Meetings
Imps fans will remember the last time the two sides met as City won 3-2 in the FA Cup Second Round.
Theo Robinson scored twice when the pair faced each other in December 2016. Terry Hawkridge also found the back of the net in the 24th minute.
Prior to the 2016 FA Cup clash, The Imps had last played Oldham Athletic competitively in February 1999. City lost 2-0 on the day as the two sides met in the Football League Division Two.
Lincoln’s last league win against the Latics was during the 1970/71 Football League Division Four season when City won 2-1.
One to Watch – Sam Surridge
Currently 15th in the SkyBet League Two top scoring charts, Sam Surridge will be the one to watch for Oldham.
Surridge has scored six goals and picked up one assist as well as having a 78% shots on target ratio from his 18 this season.
The 20-year-old is a product of the Bournemouth youth academy having originally joined the club in 2012 as a youngster.
Despite never making a league appearance for the Cherries, Surridge has impressed during his four loan spells away from the club.
As well as scoring regularly in the league this season, the young forward has also got a good record in cup competitions scoring three goals in two Checkatrade Trophy games.
