Wigan Athletic 1 Imps 1

James Collins scores for Lincoln City

James Collins earned City a point at Wigan Athletic as he marked his first start for the club with a vital goal.

Collins partnered Jovon Makama up front at the Brick Community Stadium and struck after 89 minutes, after home keeper Sam Tickle had initially saved his penalty kick.

Midfielder Ethan Hamilton also came into the starting line-up, as one of three changes made by head coach Michael Skubala alongside the front two of Collins and Makama. Zach Jeacock continued in goal, with George Wickens returning from a shoulder injury to take a place on the bench.

Ben House was also fit to be included on the bench despite being forced out of Tuesday’s game against Blackpool with a dead leg.

It was an entertaining start to the match with both sides looking to attack from the off, with Paudie O'Connor getting across to block a Dale Taylor cross after just two minutes.

The Imps had some good early possession, as well, with the first clear chance coming after seven minutes from a corner which was initially won from a long Sean Roughan throw-in. The corner delivery found Collins, who did well to escape the attention of his marker but was unable to get enough power on his header to test Sam Tickle in the home goal who comfortably held the ball.

Makama was close moments later after Tendayi Darikwa did brilliantly to keep the ball in on the right and deliver a cross that was only just too high for the Academy product to reach.

A free-kick won by Ethan Erhahon, bursting past several Latics players, gave Tom Bayliss a chance to recreate his goalscoring heroics from the previous Saturday against Peterborough. It was no surprise to see the No.8 go for goal, but this time the ball came crashing back off the crossbar.

Bayliss did forced Tickle into a save with a low shot after a good lay-off from Collins, though again his effort lacked the power to trouble the home keeper.

City were clearly edging the match, having enjoyed more than 60% possession by the time Silko Thomas needed to come off for the home side after sustaining an injury in a challenge with Makama. Several minutes were needed before Thomas was carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Joe Hungbo.

Hungbo was straight into the action as the ball fell to him from a free-kick, but sent his effort wide. It was the home side's first clear chance since the second minute when O'Connor blocked Taylor's shot.

The home side took the lead against the run of play after 36 minutes as they countered quickly from an Imps attack. Taylor played in Jonny Smith who curled the ball home despite Bayliss' best efforts to get back to cover. Jensen Weir, buoyed by the goal, tried his luck from just outside the area but lifted his effort over without troubling Jeacock.

Bayliss tried curling an effort in time added on, again it was on target but Tickle was across to cover.

Conor McGrandles came on at the interval for the Imps, replacing Ethan Erhahon.

The opening to the second period was less frantic than the first, with 11 minutes gone before Tickle was forced into a save - though he did well to tip over Bayliss' curling effort from the left wing which threatened to dip under the bar.

And a corner led to an opportunity as Roughan played the ball back into the area but it bounced through to Tickle.

The home side had an opportunity to double their advantage from their first real attack of the second period as Taylor found himself through on goal, but sent his low effort wide.

Ben House and Reeco Hackett were sent on after 64 minutes as Skubala searched for a leveller.

Hackett created space to get a shot away after 70 minutes, but could not keep his powerful effort down.

Freddie Draper and Erik Ring were also sent on, after 75 minutes, with the Imps refusing to give up on a point.

Although there were opportunities from corners and some good deliveries into the area, the home side dug in - often with all their outfield players back - to hold on.

The crucial intervention came a couple of minutes from time as the Imps were awarded a penalty following an infringement from the corner.

Although Tickle did well to initially keep Collins' effort out, the experienced forward kept his composure to slot home on the rebound.

Imps: Jeacock, Darikwa (Ring, 75), Jackson, Erhahon (McGrandles, 45), Bayliss, Hamilton (Draper, 75), O’Connor (c), Jefferies (Hackett, 64), Roughan, Collins, Makama (House, 64), Subs not used: Wickens, Montsma.

Wigan: Tickle, Mellish, Weir, Kerr (c), Sibbick, J.Smith (Goodwin, 80), S.Smith, Carragher, McHugh (Norburn, 62), Taylor (Darcy, 80), Thomas (Hungbo, 25). Subs not used: Watson, Aimson, Robinson.

Referee: John Mulligan

Attendance: 8,606 (540 away)