Lincoln City picked up a vital three points this evening as a fantastic second half performance blew away the visitors as the Imps ran out 4-0 winners at LNER Stadium. Brennan Johnson grabbed a fantastic hattrick within the space of 11 minutes before Cohen Bramall scored a stunning free kick as the Imps returned to winning ways.
Michael Appleton made two changes to the side which faced Blackpool on Saturday with Joe Walsh and Anthony Scully returning to the side in place of Lewis Montsma and Max Sanders.
City had the first chance of the match in the 3rd minute as Zak Jules was forced to clear the ball behind for a corner at his near post. Brennan Johnson reacted sharpest in midfield before passing the ball inside to Morgan Rogers who played in Cohen Bramall, but his cross was blocked behind. The outswinging corner was cleared by the visitors as City started to gain a foothold in the game.
Cohen Bramall was causing MK Dons problems down the left wing as he showed blistering pace on numerous occasions, but the final ball broke down for the Imps at the crucial moment.
City were pressing the opposition well in the first half as Milton Keynes were forced into making numerous mistakes in their own third, but the visitors continued to play out from the back.
Chances were few and far between here with the defences on top, but both sides were keen to play attractive possession based football.
The Imps' first real chance of the half arrived for Morgan Rogers who was gifted the ball by the MK defence, but his right footed effort was blocked behind for a corner, which came to nothing.
City's best chance of the opening period arrived in the 39th minute. Tayo Edun produced an excellent piece of skill as he skipped away from a couple of challenges before passing the ball wide to Cohen Bramall. The full back's deep cross was controlled well by Regan Poole, who struck a fierce shot on target but it was blocked on the goal line by the MK Dons defence.
The Imps were gifted another chance right before the half time whistle as Brennan Johnson was passed the ball 25 yards from goal, but his lay off out wide to Callum Morton had too much weight on it, and the chance was spurned.
Half Time - Lincoln City 0-0 MK Dons
The first goal of the game arrived shortly into the second half and it was a delicate finish from Brennan Johnson who was unplayable all evening. Morgan Rogers picked up the ball 20 yards from goal before playing a precise reverse pass to Johnson, who delicately dinked the ball over Andrew Fisher to make it 1-0.
The Imps were buoyed by that early goal and quickly scored the second in this match and it was a terrific free flowing move. Conor McGrandles won possession well before playing the ball wide to Anthony Scully who fizzed a first time ball into Callum Morton. The man on loan kept his composure before laying wide to Morgan Rogers who passed to Brennan Johnson and he finished emphatically with his left foot leaving the keeper with no chance.
City looked dangerous every time they attacked as another breakaway from the home side led to a penalty in the 57th minute. Johnson took on his man on the right wing before crossing into the box, but Morgan Rogers was pulled back in the area and the ref pointed to the spot. Brennan Johnson stepped up for his hattrick and finished low to the keepers left following a retake for encroachment in the box.
The Imps continued to attack at will this evening anf MK Dons couldn't cope with the high press from the men in red and white.
City were completely dominant with every man sharp in the tackle. Morgan Rogers disposessed Harry Darling who brought him down which presented Cohen Bramall with an opportunity from a free kick.
The full back stepped up from 25 yards and hit a dipping shot which flew into the net via the post in what was his first goal for the Imps.
The Imps continued to search for a fifth but the full time whistle blew as they picked up an emphatic victory, a clean sheet and the precious three points.
Full Time - Lincoln City 4-0 MK Dons
Imps XI
1. Alex Palmer
2. Regan Poole
5. Adam Jackson (Eyoma 63')
7. Tayo Edun
11. Anthony Scully
15. Cohen Bramall (Jones 78')
16. Joe Walsh (Montsma 78')
18. Conor McGrandles
19. Callum Morton
20. Brennan Johnson (Anderson 68')
27. Morgan Rogers
Subs
31. Sam Long
4. Lewis Montsma
6. Max Sanders
8. James Jones
22. TJ Eyoma
26. Harry Anderson
34. Freddie Draper
Goals - Johnson 48', 53', 59', Bramall 74'
Booked - Poole 15', Johnson 20'
MK Dons
13. Andrew Fisher
3. Dean Lewington (C)
4. Zak Jules
5. Josh McEachran (Kasumu 56')
6. Harry Darling
9. Will Grigg (Brown 70')
10. Scott Fraser
12. Ethan Laird (Harvey 56')
16. Andrew Surman (Houghton 71')
17. Matt O'Riley
29. Matthew Sorinola
Subs
1. Lee Nicholls
8. David Kasumu
11. Charlie Brown
18. Lasse Sorensen
20. Joe Mason
21. Daniel Harvey
24. Jordan Houghton
Booked - Kasumu 66', Darling 72', Harvey 87'
Referee - Robert Madley
Asst Referees - Robert Atkin & Alan Clayton
4th Official - James Bell
