Wigan boss Shaun Maloney was full of praise for the Imps in the wake of our 0-0 draw this weekend.
In a game that did little to entertain the 8,500 supporters who turned up to watch, City grabbed a clean sheet and a point to keep us in the top six at this early stage of the season.
Wigan, who beat Bristol Rovers 4-0 last weekend, never got into a rhythm, and aside from hititng the outside of the post with a header, were rarely able to breach our defence. At the other end of the field, the same had to be said for us, limited to a few half chances and crosses.
However, what didn’t make for a good spectacle for fans was a lot tougher than it looked for the players, and Maloney credited us with making it difficult for his side.
“We kept trying to create chances and win the game,” he told the media.
“In the last 10 minutes, we had to deal with a lot of long balls and set plays. It was tough – defensively, they (Lincoln City) are really good, and we found it hard to break through them.
“They’ve got a brilliant record since the manager came in, as he’s made them hard to beat.
“They are one of – if not the best – teams in the league at set plays, and very good at high pressing, and hurting you when they win it.
“The performance in large parts was good – but I’d like it a little bit quicker at times, but we also have to credit the opponent for making it very hard.“
It’s nice to hear a manager give an assessment that matches my own, and one that complements us, especially as the actual game wasn’t particularly impressive.
The result means we still haven’t beaten Wigan at the Bank in front of supporters this century – we did win behind closed doors during COVID, but before that you have to go back to 1998, when Tony Battersby’s goal gave us a win in front of fans.
That run might be unwanted, but next weekend we have a chance to grab a wanted record, when we travel to Cambridge United looking to secure our 13th away match unbeaten, which could beat a 44-year-old record.