There were three changes for City, as the injured Freddie Draper dropped out. Rob Street took his position as the nine, with Varfolomeev returning to the starting lineup in place of Tom Bayliss. Reeco Hackett also came in, Ryan Oné dropping to the bench. Deji Elerewe came onto the bench for his first involvement of the season. Ben House also started for City, making his 100th EFL start for the Imps.
There was a flash of red before kick off as a smoke bomb drifted across the away end, the atmosphere cranked up long before a ball was kicked here at Mansfield. City almost profited from early nerves. After three minutes the ball dropped awkwardly over a defender’s head, causing momentary panic in the Stags back line, but Jack Moylan could not quite stretch enough to turn it goalwards.
Ten minutes in, it was even stevens. No real chances at either end, though we were seeing more of the ball and looking the calmer of the two sides in possession. A minute later, Moylan burst away down the left to win our first corner, only to be tackled well just as he shaped to deliver.
On 17 minutes, the first flashpoint. Kyle Knoyle went into the book for hauling back Ben House as he tried to spin in behind. From the resulting free kick, Ivan Varfolomeev whipped in a dangerous delivery that was touched towards goal by Bradley, drawing a superb save to keep it level.
Mansfield had their appeals shortly after. Oates went through on 19 minutes and he went down under pressure, but from our vantage point there did not appear to be any contact and the referee waved play on.
We responded well. McGrandles and Reeco Hackett combined neatly on 21 minutes to tee up Varfolomeev on the edge of the area. He shifted it onto his left foot but dragged his effort wide of Liam Roberts’ left-hand post.
Two minutes later Reach’s cross from the left just evaded Street after more sloppy play from the hosts, City probing with purpose without quite finding the decisive touch.
There was a wobble just after the half hour when Conor McGrandles lost possession in midfield, and Oates broke quickly, but a vital block inside the box kept the scores level. At the other end, on 36 minutes, Tendayi Darikwa’s cross caused panic in the six-yard area before Oshilaja hacked clear.
Tempers flickered on 38 minutes when Varfolomeev was shown a yellow card after having the ball kicked at him from a Mansfield free kick, the contest growing edgier as the interval approached. Moment after, he had a chance to return the favour, with a mann stood in front of him, but didn’t.
Then came the breakthrough. Two minutes before the break, Moylan was pulled back inside the area as he tried to turn his marker, the referee pointing straight to the spot, Will Evans committing the foul.
Rob Street stepped up and made no mistake, drilling the penalty beyond Roberts to make it 1-0 to Lincoln. It was his eighth goal of the season and it gave City a deserved advantage at the break.
Mansfield made two changes at the break, Knoyle and Morian-Welsh on for Jon Russell and Hewitt, and they began the second half with far greater urgency.
Within two minutes a ball over the top caught Varfolomeev out and George Wickens had to react sharply, racing from his area to close down and make a vital intervention. It set the tone for a spell of heavy Mansfield pressure. By 53 minutes the hosts were firmly on the front foot, pushing City back and asking questions.
A corner on 57 minutes was nodded wide, a let-off during a period when the game was being played largely in our half. On the hour, though, we carried a threat of our own. Varfolomeev’s corner reached the back post, Bradley nodded it down, but the keeper saved.
There was controversy on 64 minutes when another ball over the top sent Oates clear. A three-man collision followed, Wickens appearing to clatter Oates but getting away with it as play continued. The home fans were incensed..
Will Evans was replaced by Tyler Roberts a minute later, and by 68 minutes frustration was building, the referee feeling uncertain, giving some easy fouls while letting others go.
On 70 minutes Moylan worked his way along the byline and lifted a cross towards Street, who headed over. Shortly after, City made three changes, Ryan Oné, Ryley Towler and Dom Jefferies on for Reeco Hackett, Ben House and Jack Moylan.
Mansfield dragged a chance wide from distance on 72 minutes as the game continued to feel scruffy and stretched. The crowd of 9,050, including 1,649 Lincoln supporters, were being treated to a tense contest rather than a polished one.
There was panic in the City area on 76 minutes, Mansfield waiting for the ball to drop but it never quite did before it was eventually cleared. In the same minute Darikwa was booked for chatting to the referee with Bradley down suffering cramp.
Tom Bayliss replaced Varfolomeev on 78 minutes, while Mansfield introduced George Abbott for Aaron Lewis. Another penalty shout was waved away on 80 minutes when Tyler Roberts went down in the area. This one wasn’t quite as clear cut.
On 82 minutes Bradley was penalised for bringing down Oates, free kick right on the edge of the box. McLaughlin’s effort was headed clear by Bradley.Alfie Lloyd came on for Rob Street on 86 minutes, while Mansfield sent on Victor Adeboyejo for McLaughlin.
A stinging volley from Louis Reed on 90 minutes skimmed the outside of the post after a corner was cleared, the closest the hosts came in the closing stages. City responded on 92 minutes when Oné broke forward, his effort turned round the post by Blake-Tracy with a player lurking.
Then, deep into stoppage time on 95 minutes, with Mansfield pushing forward, City broke decisively. Jefferies took his time and squared the ball, and Bayliss fired home to seal it, 2-0 to Lincoln. With Bolton drawing and both Cardiff and Bradford losing, it felt like a big weekend for the Imps.
Widget not in any sidebars
You must be logged in to post a comment.