Lincoln City’s lack of cruelty in front of goal came back to haunt them once more as they drew 1-1 against Forest Green Rovers.
The Imps were quickly in front thanks to some fantastic finishing from Ben House, but Jordon Garrick, who had played for City earlier in the season, pushed them back in the second half.
City got off to a perfect start against the bottom team in the League, with Regan Poole picking House from the right wing, and the striker showed his clinical advantage by brushing past Ross Doohan.
Forest Green managed an answer and came close to leveling when Dom Bernard pushed Corey O’Keeffe’s cross wide.
Charlie Savage also had an effort for the hosts, but his snap was comfortably handled by Carl Rushworth.
However, Lincoln controlled most of the half and should have been two ahead when Harry Boyes played Olamide Shodipo down the left channel of the box, but the winger went over the crossbar.
After the break, the game turned tricky, but Lincoln was punished for his waste when the home team equalized just before the hour.
A ball into the box from Jamie Robson was touched by Peart-Harris into the path of Garrick, who fired past Rushworth.
Penalty appeals were later dismissed by both sides when House and O’Keeffe appeared to have been knocked down, but both were dismissed by the referee.
City pushed for the winner and came close when Paudie O’Connor’s header was cleared away by Ben Stevenson.
However, the Imps were forced to hold on late on when Rushworth deflected Myles Peart-Harris’s effort to save a point.
This is how the players rated…
Charles Rushworth: 7
He didn’t have much to do during the 90 minutes, but he sent a great ball past Poole in the build up to the goal. Great save by Peart-Harris at the end.
TJ Eyoma: 7
He had a very strong first half, intervening on several occasions to regain possession. Solid in the second half.
Paudie O’Connor: 6
Consistently solid and led the bottom line well.
Sean Roughan: 6
Comfortable despite playing out of position in central defence.
Harry Boyes: 6
He did well against his former team. He got the wing down well, but he also got caught a couple of times.
Regan Poole: 7
Fantastic ball inside the goal and well defended, especially in the first 45 minutes.
Ethan Erhahon: 7
He again had influence in the midfield and slipped a great ball to Shodipo that the full-back had to finish off.
Ted Bishop: 6
He had a decent first half but faded in the second, his quality fading on the ball.
Jack Diamond: 5
Anonymous, particularly in the second half when he seemed to grow frustrated after the draw.
Olamide Shodipo: 5
He struggled for the ball and squandered a great opportunity for Lincoln to finish off the game in the first half.
house ben: 7
Excellent finish to the goal and was a plague on Forest Green the whole game. The press was not as effective as usual.
Charles Vernam (Shodipo 59): 5
He worked hard when he came in and forced Doohan to make the save.
Lasse Sorenson (Boyes 68): 6
He behaved magnificently and was a common thread in the midfield for the last 20 minutes.
Lucas Plange (bishop 84): N/A