Credit Graham Burrell
Lincoln City moved to within a single point of the Championship with a resilient, stubborn win against AFC Wimbledon.
On a blustery afternoon more like aumtun than spring, it took a late, late strike by on-loan Ryan Oné to settle the tie, and ensure City could be promoted on Monday.
City made one change from the side that beat Rotherham a fortnight ago, with Tom Bayliss coming in for Ivan Varfolomeev, who dropped to the bench following his double outing for Ukraine Under-21s.
The visitors featured former Imp Ali Smith in their side, but there was no place for Matty Stevens in the squad, scorer of their opening goal against us in August. Nathan Asiimwe, who scored their second that day, started on the bench.
City started quickly and inside the opening minute Hackett got down the left and found McGrandles, but his shot was straight at Bishop. it proved to be something of a false dawn in a stubborn first half.
After a spell of Wimbledon pressure, City broke well on eight minutes, Street, Hackett and Darikwa combined nicely to set up House, who mishit his effort but still forced a save from Bishop.
The game was certainly dictated somewhat by a heavy wind, with City playing into it early doors, which caused some issues.
Credit Graham Burrell
City rode their luck around the ten-minute mark as McGrandles escaped a possible booking, and moments later Towler pulled a player back and could also have gone into the book.
Bradley almost got on the end of a cross that flashed across the face of the goal on 17 minutes as City threatened again, but Wimbledon certainly weren’t on the ropes.
They thought they had a chance shortly after when Bugiel went through, but he was penalised for a foul on Bradley as he tried to get his shot away.
The visitors began to look organised and difficult to break down, and midway through the half Maycock forced Wickens into a save after City failed to properly clear their lines.
City responded almost immediately, Street got in behind on the right and crossed, but House could not make clean contact with the chance.
Credit Graham Burrell
Around the half-hour mark City came under pressure, Nelson worked space for a shot which was blocked and went behind for a corner. Wimbledon were enjoying a strong spell and City struggled to get out for a period, with the visitors looking organised and giving very little away.
City then had a good spell of pressure of their own, winning a corner and a long throw, and the move eventually led to Moylan being fouled on the edge of the area. From the resulting free kick, Bayliss struck the ball first time and rattled the crossbar, the closest either side came to a goal in the first half.
Right at the end of the half Wimbledon broke quickly, Bugiel strode clear and fed Hackford, but his shot was blocked brilliantly by Darikwa and cleared.
Like this:
Like Loading…
Related