SKY BET LEAGUE 1     
Saturday January 23rd, 3.00pm.      
LNER Stadium

LINCOLN CITY 2
Conor McGrandles 74
Anthony Scully 84

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Danny Rose 90

Lincoln: Alex Palmer, Adam Jackson, Tayo Edun (sub Max Melbourne 90), Tom Hopper, Jorge Grant, Anthony Scully (sub Harry Anderson 90), Joe Walsh, Brennan Johnson, TJ Eyoma, Liam Bridcutt, Morgan Rogers (sub Conor McGrandles 67)
Subs not used: Sam Long, James Jones, Remy Howarth

Cobblers: Jonathan Mitchell, Michael Harriman, Lloyd Jones, Cian Bolger, Joseph Mills, Bryn Morris, Jack Sowerby (sub Benny Ashley-Seal 62), Shaun McWilliams, Sam Hoskins, Mickel Miller (sub Ricky Korboa 35), Ryan Edmondson (sub Danny Rose 85)
Subs not used: Dylan Berry, Fraser Horsfall, Ryan Watson, Caleb Chukwuemeka

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Booked:
Lincoln: Liam Bridcutt (77)
Cobblers: Lloyd Jones (36, 1st of the season)

10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension 
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension

Sent off:
Lincoln: none      
Cobblers: none

Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.

Following consecutive postponements Northampton Town returned to action with a tough away trip to Lincoln City. The imps went into the game second in Sky Bet League 1, only goal difference keeping them off top spot.

Keith Curle handed debuts to all three new signings, Bryn Morris, Mickel Miller and Ryan Edmondson but Alan Sheehan remained sidelined through injury.

On a cold afternoon at the LNER Stadium, the Cobblers started brightly with Shaun McWilliams seeing an early shot blocked and debutant Miller warming the gloves of Alex Palmer. Adam Jackson headed over from a free-kick in a chance for the home side.

Sam Hoskins shot wide from just outside the area and Jack Sowerby and Bryn Morris both had efforts deflected behind as the Cobblers continued to press and probe Lincoln looking for the opening goal.

The Cobblers were dealt an injury blow when Miller’s debut was cut short by what appeared to be a hamstring injury, Ricky Korboa coming on. Lincoln then nearly broke the deadlock when a dangerous cross from Brennan Johnson was only palmed out to the feet of Joe Walsh but with his shot goal bound Michael Harriman made a superb clearance off the line to ensure the sides went in level at half-time.

Lincoln started the second half on the offensive, Jonathan Mitchell was alert to the danger to tip the ball over after some good defending by ex-Imp Cian Bolger and Shaun McWilliams tracking back to make a vital interception to prevent Anthony Scully feeding the ball to a teammate inside the area following a swift counter-attack.

Jack Sowerby had to be replaced by Benny Ashley-Seal, the midfielder unable to continue after picking up a knock.

The game was still delicately poised but with a quarter of an hour to play the home side made the breakthrough, substitute Conor McGrandles turning home a low cross from the left.

Hoskins went down in the area as the Cobblers appealed for a penalty but the referee adjudged Liam Bridcutt had made contact with the ball. Soon after that Lincoln doubled their lead, Anthony Scully firing home after being played in by Tom Hopper.

Danny Rose came on for the closing stages in place of Edmondson and the Cobblers went close to pulling a goal back in stoppage time, Hoskins striking the post with a thunderous drive from 25-yards.

Rose then did half the deficit with a superb overhead kick but there was no more time left as Lincoln claimed the victory.

LINCOLN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 4
CORNERS: (2) 6       
FOULS: (3) 9       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4 
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 6
CORNERS: (5) 6
FOULS: (7) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0