City returned to winning ways in Sky Bet League One with a dominant 3-0 win at Accrington Stanley.
Accrington looked to open the scoring in the 11th minute following a free-kick as Sean Roughan brought down Longelo outside the Imps’ box. McConville delivered into a dangerous area and Rushworth was there to claim the ball.
City’s first chance came two minutes later as Ben House chased the ball down to the byline before cutting onto his right to force a save from Toby Savin at his near post.
From the resulting corner, Ted Bishop found the head of Adam Jackson who nodded just wide of the far post.
City’s early pressure paid off in the 24th minute as Bishop played forward to House inside the box who created space to fire into the roof of the net and put his side ahead.
In the 32th minute, McConville whipped in a free-kick from the right which eventually came to Tharme whose side-footed effort bounced narrowly wide of the post.
Mide Shopido looked to add another for the Imps as Bishop found the run of the winger through the middle who took a touch before he fired at goal, but Savin was there to save.
Ten minutes into the second half Poole’s powerful effort from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection which looped the ball up towards goal leaving Roughan to run in and tap home.
John Coleman’s side were reduced to 10 men moments later as Harry Perritt brought down Shodipo, which the referee deemed to be a last man offence.
From the resulting free-kick Jack Diamond laid it off for Bishop who bent it into the bottom right corner beyond the outstretched Savin.
Charles Vernam caused the hosts’ defence all sorts of issues after he came off the bench and went close on several occasions, with the closest chance a 20-yard half-volley which had to be tipped over the crossbar in injury time.
Accrington: Toby Savin, Ryan Astley (Harry Perritt 42’), Liam Coyle (Josh Woods 74’), Shaun Whalley, Sean McConville ©, Rosaire Longelo, Harvey Rodgers, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Aaron Pressley (Leslie Adekoya 74’), Doug Tharme. Subs (not used): Lukas Jensen, Jack Nolan, Dan Martin, Seb Quirk, Josh Woods, Leslie Adekoya.
City: Carl Rushworth, Regan Poole ©, Lewis Montsma, Adam Jackson, Ted Bishop (Lasse Sorensen 62’), Mide Shodipo (Charles Vernam 66’), Ethan Erhahon, Paudie O’Connor, Ben House, Sean Roughan (Harry Boyes 75’), Jack Diamond (Luke Plange 75’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Danny Mandriou, TJ Eyoma.
Goals: House (24'), Roughan (55'), Bishop (58').
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Attendance: 2,382 (391 away).
