City extended their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions but were forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic at the LNER Stadium on Saturday.
In an entertaining goal, City came from behind to lead at the break with two goals from James Collins overturning Paul Mullin’s early opener.
The Latics equalised in the second half through Callum Wright, before both teams finished the game with 10 men.
Michael Skubala made one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town in their last league outing, with Adam Jackson coming in to replace the suspended Sonny Bradley.
City were the first to threaten after six minutes when some good footwork from Hackett released McGrandles in space, with the midfielder seeing his effort charged down. The Imps forced a succession of corners ultimately came to nothing.
Despite City’s fast start, it was the visitors who took the lead through Mullin. Tickle collected a free kick from halfway and immediately sent the forward through, who kept his composure to round Wickens and tap into an empty net with 10 minutes gone.
Boosted by the goal, Wigan continued to threaten and had two big opportunities to double their advantage. Mullin was very close to his second when he latched onto a defensive mix-up before forcing an excellent save from Wickens on 14 minutes. Then, Trevitt met a Hungbo delivery from the left but could only turn the ball wide.
City were awarded a penalty with 30 minutes played when Saydee was penalised for a foul on Towler from a corner. James Collins duly stepped up to convert from the spot and grab his 200th EFL goal.
Goal 201 was not too far behind, either! McGrandles and Hackett worked a corner short with the latter picking out Towler, who diverted the ball into Collins’ path, with the forward applying a poacher’s finish to turn the game on it’s head.
With two minutes to go until half time, City survived a scare when the visitors sent a corner into a dangerous area, with Wickens gathering at the second attempt through a crowd of bodies.
Half time: Imps 2-1 Wigan Athletic
The visitors had an early opportunity in the second half when Trevitt flashed an effort across goal. Thankfully for the Imps, Hungbo didn’t gamble at the far post for a tap-in on 46 minutes.
Moments later, it was City’s turn to attack, when Street broke free down the right. With Collins lurking in the area for his hat-trick, Fox was able to make a crucial intervention to prevent the cross from reaching him.
Then, the ball broke for Hackett, who picked out Draper with a wicked cross from the left, but Tickle was able to make the save.
The next attack would go the way of the Latics and this time they capitalised. Saydee latched onto a ball over the top before clipping a cross towards Wright, who peeled off Darikwa to head into an empty net.
The away side were reduced to 10 men after Saydee was sent off for a straight red card for a late tackle on Bayliss with just over 20 minutes left to play.
Seven minutes later, City were also down to 10 men, when Rob Street was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Adeko.
There two golden chances at both ends with eight minutes left. House hassled Tickle into an error and his loose pass was intercepted by Thorn, but his low cross was ahead of everyone. Then, Fox forced a good block from Towler inside the box.
City finished strongly and had the chance to win it when House latched onto Thorn’s cross, forcing an excellent save from Tickle. Then, Towler saw his strike charged down from the rebound.
Despite City’s strong finish to the game, the visitors very nearly clinched all three points in stoppage time, with Wickens grateful to see Costelloe’s powerful drive from distance cannon back off the crossbar and away.
The Imps had a later chance than that, when House took down a ball in the area before teeing up Reach, but he saw his effort scrambled off the line as it ended all square.
Full time: Imps 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Jackson, Towler, Hackett (Okoronkwo 84’), Bayliss (Thorn 74’), Collins (House 61’), McGrandles, Street, Hamer, Draper (Reach 61’).
Unused: Jeacock, Montsma, House.
Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Fox, Aimson, Murray, Wright (Adeko 76’), Saydee, Mullin (Costelloe 76’), Trevitt, Kerr, Smith, Hungbo.
Unused: Savin, Sessegnon, McManaman, Rodrigues, Cooper
Referee: Alan Young
Attendance: 8,208 (581 away)
