Lincoln City 0, Blackpool 2

The Imps fell to a 2-0 defeat to Blackpool on the LNER Stadium last night. 

City head coach Michael Skubala named an unchanged XI from the side that beat Peterborough United 5-1 on Saturday, but the Seasiders showed their determination to spoil a repeat performance from their hosts when goalkeeper Zach Jeacock was called into action within the first minute.

Blackpool took the lead on 32 minutes, as Ashley Fletcher took advantage of a defensive error to calmly chip the ball over the top of the on-rushing Jeacock and although City attempted to respond with three attempts on goal before the break but could not make them count.

City were forced into a change earlier than expected when Ben House went down in the penalty area five minutes before the break. January signing James Collins was introduced in his place and was in action as the home side started the second half brightly.

However, it was Blackpool who scored on 57 minutes when the ball fell kindly to Olly Casey and he made no mistake from inside the penalty area. 

Again the Imps looked to respond, but could not find a way back into the game especially when Collins thought he had got his goal, but was to be denied by the assistant's flag for an offside from a Reeco Hackett cross on 78 minutes.

Steve Bruce’s men took all three points, but his City counterpart Michael Skubala felt there were positives in Tuesday night’s performance.

 "It's a tough one to take as they defended well. We created chances but it just didn't go in. I thought we settled well and after 15 minutes we were in the ascendancy.  

"We tried chasing and were pushing the game, we kept going but the little things hurt us. We moved the ball well and got the ball in the box - there are some positives with the performance.

"We had lots of territory, but it's disappointing that we conceded these two easy goals. The one small criticism was the final ball. It wasn't through effort; it wasn't through trying and it wasn't through not getting there. We created chances - and if we had put them away and then it's a different game."

The head coach wants the side to keep pushing as they look to regain the form that led to wins over Northampton Town and Peterborough United in the previous two games.

He added: "The result didn't go our way but we have got a good group together and we will keep pushing."

Picture: Vaughan Photography

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