The usual suspects play poorly as City lose again

Lincoln City lost 3-1 at Burton in a game where the usual suspects again put in poor performances to condemn City to that defeat. Julian Kelly and Ali Fuseini were the main culprits of giving the ball away, whereas Josh O'Keefe, Mustapha Carayol and Stephen Hunt also gave the ball away on a consistent basis.

Burton started the match well and almost opened the scoring within the first two minutes as Maghoma headed goalwards, only for it to hit Kelly and fail to go in. The Imps were giving away numerous free kicks that were creating plenty of chances for the hosts but the deserved opener came in controversial circumstances. City were on a rare attack as Carayol was fouled, but the referee waved play on and the ball was hoofed forward by the defence, Hone and Carson colided, leaving Winnall with an open goal to hit the ball into.

McGrath hit an effort wide for the hosts before Grimes had City's first shot on goal in the 30th minute, although his shot was comfortably blocked by James. Webster tried his luck from distance but his chip went onto the top of the net. The hosts almost doubled their lead but Watts headed a goalbound effort off of the line from a Winnall shot. That was the last noteworthy moment of a half in which City had been distinctively second best.

O'Keefe had a good chance blocked following clever work from McCallum and Grimes before the ball went up the other end of the pitch. After being played around City's 18 yard area for a few seconds, Julian Kelly passed the ball straight to McGrath on the edge of the area and he played the ball in for Webster to head in. It was yet another goal that Kelly had cost the Imps and effectively ended the match.

Legzdins was called into a rare moment activity as he comfortably caught a corner before a double substitution from City saw Hutchinson and Clapham replace McCallum and Fuseini. Webster hit a 30 yard free kick over the bar before a very rarely City attack saw Facey get City's first shot on target. It should have been 3-0 a few minutes later as Watts deflected a Corbett shot goalwards, but Carson somehow managed to get his already-committed body to deflect the ball just wide of the target.

It was 3-0 soon afterwards as City conceded a penalty for the third away game in a row as Carayol viciously fouled Maghoma. Winnall stepped up and hit the penalty into the net. Spencer was given a rare appearance as he replaced Facey with just over ten minutes to go.

City did get a goal back with eight minutes to go as Grimes picked up the ball before sending a 20 yard shot over Legzdins and into the net, his first activity in an otherwise quiet showing for the leading goalscorer. Spencer hit a shot wide from close range but neither side created another goal as City crashed 3-1.