Marooned Imps lose to Northampton

Lincoln City remain marooned on 19 points after a defeat to Northampton. The Imps and the Cobblers played out poor game that saw two quality goals, unfortunately for Lincoln City one of them was a winning goal for Northampton, meaning City have still been on 19 points since November 20th.

A Lincoln side that was changed in several positions, including the return of Danny Hone from Darlington, took to the field at Sixfields and it wasn't long before the Imps carved out a chance as Luke Howell released Hutchinson. The striker made a half-hearted effort to get to the ball as was easily tackled by Ben Tozer.

Anyon claimed a Wedderburn cross before Jarvis hit an effort well wide of the target. It was a far from action packed first half though as it took until the 20th minute for Osman to create another chance. Hone headed a corner from Howell over in a rare first-half attack from the Imps.

Facey headed a Northampton corner clear before McKay shot wide again. The slow half ended with a moment that caused some controversy in the Northampton end. A ball into the box saw Jarvis try a first time shot, his ball in appeared to hit the hands of Hone, but the referee ignored the appeals and the teams went in goalless.

Josh O'Keefe and Scott Kerr tried their luck from distance before both went wide and it took a while until more action happened, this time coming at the Lincoln end and it resulted in the opening goal. A long throw was flicked on and Billy McKay swept home unchallenged.

Herbert replaced Jarvis for the hosts before Watts headed wide against his former club. The Imps made a double substitution with Jarrett and Carayol coming on for Kerr and Hutchinson. It paid almost immediate dividends as Carayol ran forward before playing it to Hoyte, his cross was half-cleared to O'Keefe and his first time hit sailed into the top corner for his first ever goal for the Imps.

City almost took the lead a minute later as Jarrett's shot took two deflections before settling into the arms of Dunn. Anderson was booked for a foul on Jacobs before Anyon cleared from a free kick. King replaced McKay for the hosts.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, the hosts took the ball up field and Holt's cross was cleared to Johnson, he hit the ball from 30 yards and it sailed beyond a helpless Anyon for a brilliant goal against the Imps.

Howell did break into the area in the second half's added on time but he couldn't get a shot off and the Imps lost their third League match in a row.