Lincoln City confirmed their promotion to the EFL Championship for the first time in 65 years after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Reading in a League One match on April 7. The triumph ensured the club, current leaders of League One, would move to the second tier with five matches remaining and made them the first team in the English Football League to confirm promotion this season.
The win, achieved deep into stoppage time, highlighted a remarkable ascent for a club that competed in non-League football just nine years ago, according to Sky Sports. Despite needing only a point to secure promotion, Lincoln started strongly with Ryan One scoring an early goal in the fifth minute by heading home from a set-piece, silencing the home supporters.
Lincoln controlled much of the first half, defending firmly and limiting Reading’s attacking chances. Reading increased pressure in the second half and extended their unbeaten home run but struggled to break through Lincoln’s disciplined defence. In stoppage time, Lewis Wing levelled the score with a superb free-kick for Reading.
However, Jack Moylan restored Lincoln’s lead in the sixth minute of added time by firing home from close range, sending travelling supporters into celebrations. This marked Lincoln’s 27th league win of the season and extended their unbeaten run to 24 matches. The club now leads the table by 12 points over second place and will focus on securing the League One title.
Head coach Michael Skubala said after the match, “It’s an unbelievable feeling now. The lads have been excellent all season, and to get the job done today, to get promoted on Easter Monday, just epitomises our season,” as quoted by Sky Sports. He added, “We want to win the title, the lads have said that they definitely want to win it. It’s going to be tough, but let’s go and get that done as well.”
Lincoln City’s progress has been extraordinary, rising from non-League football in 2017 to League One in 2019, and now returning to the Championship for the first time since 1961. With strong momentum, the Imps aim to complete a historic campaign by winning the League One title.