Lincoln City secured a Football League 2 play-off spot yesterday with a 1-1 draw against Yeovil.
The Imps started the game only needing a point to guarantee 7th place. However a loss would give promotion rivals Mansfield a chance to leapfrog City, provided they won against Crawley Town.
LSJ News reporter Sam Atkin found out how the game unfolded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7nnXRnZCAU
The Imps started the game sluggishly and after ten minutes, Yeovil’s Jordan Green gave the away side the lead. As the first half ended, Lincoln had had the better opportunities to score, and had missed a penalty through Matt Green. Bevis Mugabe was judged to have handled the ball in the box but it didn’t matter as Green’s penalty was saved by Artur Kysiak and the shot from the rebound crashed against the crossbar.
The second half continued with tension, with it looking impossible for the Imps to find a breakthrough. Mansfield were level against Crawley though, so a result for City was still not absolutely necessary.
There was no need for anxiety after 77 minutes however, as Imps midfielder Tom Pett slotted a 20-yard curling effort past Kysiak.
Both teams then seemed happy enough with a point and the sting was instantly gone from the game.
The match ended 1-1, meaning the Imps will play promotion rivals Exeter City over two legs in the play-offs which, if they win, will take them to the play-off final at Wembley against either Notts County or Coventry.
The Imps have exceeded expectations again this season, and could get a second successive promotion under managers Danny and Nicky Cowley, who recently extended their contracts.
City will play the first leg of their play-off double-header against Exeter on Saturday, May 6 at Sincil Bank with the return leg on Thursday, May 17 at St. James Park. The play-off final will take place at Wembley on Monday, May 28.