City extended their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One to 11 games, after they produced one of their best performances of the season to defeat Bradford City at the LNER Stadium on Tuesday night.
A crowd of 10,064 saw Freddie Draper and Jack Moylan put City two goals up at the break after a dominant first half performance and Ben House put the icing on the cake when Ben House marked his return from injury with a goal in the final 10 minutes.
Michael Skubala named an unchanged side for the second game in a row to take on the Bantams. Reeco Hackett retained his place for his 100th City appearance, while House and Tom Bayliss were both named on the bench following lengthy injury layoffs.
City made the perfect start when they took the lead after just seven minutes. A high foot from Curtis Tilt on Draper gave the Imps a free kick, which Reeco Hackett delivered left-footed into the path of the forward, who guided a powerful header past the outstretched arm of Sam Walker.
The Imps had another opportunity five minutes later. Max Power’s loose pass was intercepted by Hackett, who found Street in the middle of the pitch, but he saw his effort well blocked by the retreating Tilt from just outside the box.
City continued to press and Street was very nearly presented with another opportunity when Hackett attempted to guide the ball into his path from the right flank, but a timely header from Pennington helped the ball towards Walker in the City goal.
Michael Skubala’s side were by far the superior of the two sides in the opening exchanges and had another opportunity on 18 minutes. Moylan showed great feet to ride the challenge of Max Power, before laying the ball off for Street, who saw his curling effort whistle agonisingly wide of Walker’s left post.
The Bantams had a foray into City territory after 22 minutes, when Ibou Touray advanced down the left flank before delivering a cross towards the head of Humphrys, but Sonny Bradley was there to make a crucial defensive header.
Another chance fell City’s way six minutes later when Moylan weaved his way into the penalty box and looked to cut the ball back across goal, but his centre was scrambled clear by Tilt.
The Imps continued to dominate and another chance came and went when Adam Reached picked out the run of Street inside the area, but his header was just off target on 32 minutes. Hackett was next to try his luck for the Imps four minutes later, when he forced a save from Walker with a powerful low drive, which the keeper was forced to parry away to safety.
City got the second goal their outstanding first half performance deserved with four minutes to go until the break. Hackett saw his effort blocked inside the area, but the ball fell to Street who guided it into the path of Moylan, who executed an excellent first-time finish, giving Walker no chance.
The Bantams looked to respond in the second half and Wickens was forced into his first save of the match with 55 minutes on the clock. Kavanagh picked up a loose pass and fed Humphrys, who was forced slightly wide before aiming the ball straight at the keeper.
The Imps immediately went up the other end and had a chance of their own, but Hackett’s effort from 20 yards was blocked on the way through.
City were presented with another shooting chance when Power barged Bradley to the ground from 25 yards. Hackett was the one to take and his free kick was just off target. Walker was called into action moments later, when he denied Moylan his second with a strong save.
The returning Ben House was introduced with 13 minutes to go – alongside Dom Jefferies – an almost made an immediate impact when he capitalised on a mix-up between Ciaran Kelly and Walker, but he could find Draper with his cutback.
The forward did get his goal to wrap up a scintillating City performance, when he guided Tom Hamer’s cross from the right flank past the stranded Walker.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Reach (Towler 90'), Hackett (Jefferies 77'), Moylan (House 77'), McGrandles, Bradley, Street, Hamer, Varfolomeev (Bayliss 90;), Draper (Lloyd 90'). Subs not used: Jeacock, Towler, Ring, Lloyd.
Bradford City: Walker, Touray, Power, Humphrys, Wright (Kavanagh 46'), Kelly, Leigh (White 70'), Metcalfe, Tilt, Pennington (Baldwin 69'), Ashby (Neufville 69'). Subs not used: Hilton, Wright, Pointon.
Official: Stephen Parkinson
Attendance: 10,064 (1,682)
Man of The Match: Tendayi Darikwa (chosen by Tudor Building and Roofing Services