Lincoln's shocking defending sees City exit

In an afternoon where League Two results saw City join Hereford in the relegation zone, the Bulls were easily scoring against a Lincoln City defence that continues to destroy any chance the Imps might have of winning a game.

Hereford kicked off the game but it was the Imps who looked brighter early on when Grimes and Carayol both had chances blocked.....and then it started.....

CRAP DEFENDING : EXHIBIT A - From the resulting goalkick after a Carayol effort, the ball ran to a Hereford midfielder, Howell tackled him and won the ball, but left the ball behind when he started running. Hereford played for the ball forward and the defence parted like the Red Sea for Manset to easily slot home from 15 yards.

It was yet another example of City conceding early, but unlike the vast, vast, vast majority of games where the Imps concede early, they reacted quite quickly. A Jarrett cross was held by Bartlett but another Jarrett cross a minute later was headed by Facey. His header clearly went over the line but with the linesman considerable behind play, it wasn't given, but luckily the ball eventually found it's way to Clapham and he tapped home.

A rampant opening to the game continued when Hoyte and Manset colided, forcing the Imps off and to be replaced by Scott Kerr. Swaibu was booked for a foul on Manset before Fleetwood hit the post from the edge of the area. Howell headed over the bar for the Imps.

Then two rare events happened, City coming from behind to take the lead and a Delroy Facey goal. The large striker got possession midway in the Hereford half and burst through, well, I say burst, bundled would be more appropriate, before unleashing a shot (and falling over at the same time) from the edge of the area to beat Bartlett and give City the lead. It was a lead that City had relatively deserved after bossing most of the first half.

The Imps had appeals for a penalty when Jarrett was fouled by Manset......

CRAP DEFENDING : EXHIBIT B......and it was the tricky striker who gathered the ball after very hesistent Lincoln defending at the other end of the pitch, playing it into Fleetwood. His first time shot took a big deflection off of Green and settled into the net.

Howell shot over from distance before another Hereford effort hit the underside of the bar before being claimed by Anyon, but you could argue that it was Anyon who was at fault for the third.

CRAP DEFENDING : EXHIBIT C.....Fleetwood picked up the ball and unchallenged, curled an effort goalwards. Anyon thought it was going wide but it nestled into the net to end a half where the Imps had played the better football, but virtually everything Hereford hit either went in or hit the woodwork.

The second half started with Hutchinson replacing Carayol but it was Grimes who proved to be the more effective of the loan strikers as he created space for himself after a Clapham throw in, curling a shot in from 25 yards. If City didn't end up winning the replay, it was going to be the last goal Grimes would score for the Imps.

Green headed wide before producing a brilliant tackle at the other end to deny Fleetwood. Janos Kovacs headed well wide from a corner but the game had gone a bit quiet until.....

CRAP DEFENDING : EXHIBIT D......Manset picked up the ball and completely unchallenged beat Anyon from 20 yards to make it 4-3 to the visitors.

Joe Heath tried his luck from distance before Hutchinson curled a shot well over the target from 25 yards. Bauza replaced Manset for the visitors with 10 minutes left. A poor Jarrett free kick went straight into Bartlett's gloves before Bartlett dropped under pressure from Facey a few minutes later, Grimes gathered the ball but instead of shooting with his left foot into an open goal, he choose to get it on his right foot, playing it straight back into the hands of the grounded Bartlett.

Ryan Green was sent off for the visitors but the Imps couldn't force a fourth goal.....meanwhile, Barnet had won at Bradford, meaning that Lincoln and Hereford now occupy the bottom two places in the League.