The Imps picked up a point on a freezing cold January afternoon as Peterborough United held the home side to a 1-1 draw at LNER Stadium.
An unfortunate TJ Eyoma own goal was cancelled out by an Anthony Scully strike from close range, as the points were shared in an entertaining match between two sides towards the top of the table.
Michael Appleton named two changes to the side which beat AFC Wimbledon last Saturday with Remy Howarth and Adam Jackson replacing Tom Hopper and Joe Walsh. Morgan Rogers was named as a substitute after joining the club on loan from Manchester City earlier this week.
The away side started on the front foot at LNER Stadium in front of the Sky Sports cameras and in the 5th minute, they created the first chance of the game. Jack Taylor took advantage of a misplaced pass before striking a right footed shot from distance, but Alex Palmer was equal to the effort and held on to the ball comfortably.
The visitors continued to threaten with successive corners and their early pressure paid off in the 10th minute as Peterborough United took the lead. Nathan Thompson won the ball inside the penalty area before squaring to Jonson Clarke-Harris who got a shot away which Adam Jackson blocked excellently on the line, but unfortunately for City, the rebound hit TJ Eyoma before rolling over the line.
Despite the early setback, the Imps came back strongly and City’s first chance of the game arrived in the 17th minute through loanee Brennan Johnson. The 18-year-old did well to hold off a challenge from a Peterborough United defender, before bursting through on goal but his left footed shot flew over the bar.
The Imps improved as the half progressed as the home side raised the tempo, but the Posh defence were holding firm and looked dangerous on the counterattack themselves.
City broke forward quickly in the 31st minute as a neat lay off from Brennan Johnson presented Anthony Scully with the ball. The Irish U21 international struck it fiercely from distance and Christy Pym had to be alert to tip his effort over the crossbar.
The chances were still arriving for City and the home side were so close to a deserved equaliser in the 35th minute of the match. Jorge Grant broke forward from midfield before threading a precise through ball to Remy Howarth who entered the box with pace, but he could only fire the shot over the bar.
The men in red and white were still on the front foot as the half time whistle approached and Jorge Grant wasn’t far away with a free kick from the edge of the box which fell just wide of Christy Pym’s left post.
Posh continued to threaten on the break as Liam Bridcutt did exceptionally well to intercept a teasing cross into the City box but the home side cleared as Peterborough led at the interval.
Half Time
Lincoln City 0-1 Peterborough United
The Imps started off the second period excellently and finally got their equaliser through Anthony Scully in the 49th minute. The forward was on hand at the back post to turn the ball home following another excellent set piece delivery from Jorge Grant.
Siriki Dembele looked lively all afternoon and in the 52nd minute he fired past Alex Palmer’s post, as Posh looked to respond to City’s equaliser.
Morgan Rogers entered the field in the 54th minute of the match replacing Remy Howarth, as the England youth international made his City debut.
The Imps looked threatening every time they broke forward and were inches away from taking the lead in the 57th minute through Brennan Johnson. Smart play from TJ Eyoma and Jorge Grant led to a crossing opportunity and the ball across the box was met by Brennan Johnson, but Christy Pym was on hand to make a stunning save from close range.
Morgan Rogers then won a free kick in a dangerous position in the 65th minute which presented Jorge Grant with an opportunity from the free kick, but his curling effort whistled past the post with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
City continued to apply pressure to the Peterborough defence and in the 66th minute, the Imps had the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot. Anthony Scully took a shot at goal from distance but Nathan Thompson blocked the goal bound effort with his arm, as he picked up a second yellow card in the process.
Jorge Grant stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but his effort flew over the bar as City continued to push for a deserved winning goal. As the away side were down to ten men, the Imps saw plenty of the ball and were still creating chances. James Jones had a goal bound effort saved by Christy Pym before Anthony Scully had an attempt blocked by Mark Beevers as the home side searched for the crucial second goal.
TJ Eyoma then drove down the right wing before delivering an excellent ball across the box, but Anthony Scully couldn’t quite get enough on the ball to turn it goal wards.
Peterborough held on in the latter stages to pick up a point on the road as the Imps still ended the afternoon in 1st place in the Sky Bet League One table.
Full Time
Lincoln City 1-1 Peterborough United
Imps XI
1. Alex Palmer
4. Lewis Montsma
5. Adam Jackson
7. Tayo Edun
8. James Jones
10. Jorge Grant
11. Anthony Scully
17. Remy Howarth (Rogers 54')
20. Brennan Johnson
22. TJ Eyoma
23. Liam Bridcutt (C)
Subs
31. Sam Long
3. Max Melbourne
24. Robbie Gotts
25. Zack Elbouzedi
27. Morgan Rogers
30. Sean Roughan
Goals - Scully 49'
Bookings - Jackson 16', Bridcutt 21', Jones 90'
Posh XI
1. Christy Pym
4. Nathan Thompson
5. Mark Beevers (C)
6. Frankie Kent
8. Jack Taylor
9. Jonson Clarke-Harris
10. Siriki Dembele (Jade-Jones 71')
12. Reece Brown (Broom 79')
15. Sammy Szmodics (Mason 71')
16. Harrison Burrows (Butler 71')
19. Idris Kanu (Hamilton 79')
Subs
13. Dan Gyollai
3. Dan Butler
7. Mo Eisa
11. Ryan Broom
17. Ricky Jade-Jones
22. Ethan Hamilton
24. Niall Mason
Goals - Eyoma OG 10'
Bookings - Thompson 23', Kent 89'
Red Card - Thompson 66'
