A classic game of two halves where the away side dominated before the break and looked likely to gain the three points but the Whites made a sterling comeback in the second period.
Loughborough made a superb start taking the game to United and Ryan Robbins put them one up after a goalmouth scramble in the fourth minute. They doubled the lead on 21 minutes when a shot from distance by Karl Demidh clipped a home defenders boot and rocketed into the top corner. Minutes later the home sides prospects looked even bleaker after Josh Nichol received a straight red after a clash in the middle of the park.
Lincoln United brought on subs Rob Norris and returning attacker Andy Hutchinson after half time and it was Hutchinson who game them a lifeline scoring after the ball twice hit the woodwork. As the tide turned and the home side took the game to Loughborough the equaliser soon followed with Matt Cotton jinking his way into the box and crossing for centre half James Blunden to power a header home.
From then on it was blood and thunder football from both sides and chances created at each end. Hutchinson nearly completed the dream come back for the Whites in added time when his low shot hit the inside of the post with the keeper well beaten.
No further goals were scored though and a draw was the final result.
Loughborough will be disappointed they didn’t capitalise on their dominance and half time lead and United will be pleased to have come back so well with only ten men in what was a competitive and incident-packed encounter.
Match rating 4 stars out of 5
Star man Kallum Smith - Lincoln Utd
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
12. | Frickley Athletic | 38 | 48 |
13. | Stocksbridge Park Steels | 38 | 43 |
14. | Lincoln United | 38 | 43 |
15. | AFC Mansfield | 38 | 42 |
16. | Pickering Town | 38 | 35 |
17. | Wisbech Town | 38 | 31 |
18. | Spalding United | 38 | 31 |