01/01/2026, Lincoln City 1-1 Huddersfield Town, 2.70
City’s switch to a back three paid off immediately as the Imps dominated the first half against one of the division’s heavyweights recently. Reeco Hackett set the tone inside three minutes, firing wide before combining with Street to release Draper, who dragged an effort across goal. Varfolomeev then rattled the bar from distance and Nicholls was forced into a fine save from Draper as wave after wave of pressure built. Huddersfield barely threatened before the break, Castledine and May largely contained, with Bradley and Varfolomeev outstanding as City controlled territory and tempo without quite finding the breakthrough their play deserved.
The second half flipped briefly when Castledine nodded the visitors ahead on the hour after Wickens had saved from May, and moments later May nearly doubled the lead. That setback sparked a swift response. Varfolomeev again drove the momentum, a set piece leading to a corner that Huddersfield failed to clear, allowing Adam Reach to stab home from close range. Draper had a late chance to win it, turning smartly but pulling wide, yet the equaliser felt merited. Against elite opposition, City had gone toe to toe, absorbed the blow of conceding and struck back immediately to secure a deserved point.
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