Two late goals gave City a richly deserved 3-1 win over promotion-hopefuls Luton Town at the LNER Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with a brace from Ben House helping them on their way to victory.
City looked to be on course for all three points through House’s first-half opener but were pegged back when Jordan Clark struck inside the final 15 minutes.
Michael Skubala’s side showed great character though, with substitute Justin Obikwu and House firing in the final five minutes to give City the win.
The head coach made two changes to the side that defeated Burton Albion last Saturday.
Freddie Draper replaced Frankie Okoronkwo, with Rob Street returning from suspension to in place of Reeco Hackett, who has absent through illness.
The first opportunity fell City’s way on four minutes. A foul on Street on the right flank presented the Imps with a free-kick, which saw Reach strike the bar with an ambitious effort from a wide angle.
Another set-piece from the training ground nearly paid off for City moments later, when Bayliss tried to catch out Keeley after playing a one-two with Jackson from a corner, but his effort was over.
City had their reward for a fast start with 12 minutes on the clock and it came after a superb move. McGrandles picked out Draper who found the run of House and he kept his composure to slide the ball home to make it 1-0.
The Imps continued to press after the goal and could have had a second when Draper met Reach’s ball from the left, but his header was straight at Keeley.
Keeley was called into action again on 18 minutes, but this time it was save right out of the top draw to tip a goalbound Draper effort over the bar, after the striker had took aim from 25 yards. With 26 minutes gone, Draper was denied again, when his overhead kick from Jackson’s throw was saved.
With 10 minutes to go until half-time, the Hatters had their first real opportunity when the ball fell for Wells in the area, but he could only fire wide under pressure. Another chance came two minutes later and it forced Wickens into a save for the first time when Clark set his sights from distance.
City had a good chance to make it 2-0 15 minutes into the second half, when Jackson’s throw found it’s way to House at the far post, but he couldn’t convert the header.
Luton had plenty of second half pressure, but very little in terms of chances created in the second period and City had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 with 75 minutes on the clock. Bradley was quick to react when Hamer’s long-throw found him in the area, but he can’t convert from close-range.
And City were made to rue that missed opportunity a minute later, when Clark levelled it. A free kick was worked well into Clark, who rolled the ball past the outstretched arm of Wickens and into the right corner of his net. Clearly buoyed by the equaliser, the visitors went close again with eight minutes left, but Alli could only drag his effort wide of the target.
But City were not done and showed incredible character to regain the lead with six minutes left through substitute Obikwu. A mix up at the back allowed the forward to go through on goal and he showed composure beyond his tender years to apply a cool finish.
The Imps wrapped up the points five minutes later and crucially, just as the fourth official had put the board up for 10 added minutes. Ben House collected the ball out wide and fired a low shot into the bottom right corner to make it 3-1.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Reach, Jackson, Bayliss (Varfolomeev 90+8’), Collins (Obikwu 78’), McGrandles, Bradley, Street (Hamer 66’), House (Ring 90+8’), Draper (Okoronkwo 78’).
Subs: Jeacock, Towler.
Luton Town: Keeley, Naismith (Bramall 66’), Andersen, Alli, Yates (Gbode 46’), Mengi (Morris 60’), Lonwijk, Clark, Wells, Saville, Nelson (Makosso 66’).
Subs: Shea, Nordas, Fanne.
Attendance: 9,255 (1,433 away).
