Lincoln City 2, Northampton Town 1

Assistant head coach Tom Shaw praised the impact substitutes had during City's 2-1 win over Northampton Town.

Jovon Makama combined with Erik Ring to seal the points, with the latter's match-winning strike his first in English football.

With the Imps' summer transfer strategy delivering a larger squad, Shaw feels this has again paid dividends.

"The club supported us in the summer and the substitutes have contributed massively - in previous games and again here,” said Shaw pictured above (right) with head coach Michael Skubala.

"It gives us brilliant options, whatever the scenario of the game. The mentality of the lads that are perhaps not getting as many starts as they want is important, and they're brilliant. They could be disgruntled at not playing, they probably are, but the way they conduct themselves is so professional.

"Obviously two of them combined for a really nice finish for the winner tonight - we can make five substitutes now and it can be a very different game come the back end of the game."

Ring (pictured below) was brought on in the second half, having almost an instant impact on proceedings with a late strike to make it back-to-back home victories for the Imps.

He said: “It’s always nice to score, especially on that side when everyone is close it’s really nice.

“I haven’t got the chances I would like so we’ve watched some clips this week to get me into the box more, closer to the goal. I positioned myself there and Jovon put a cross in for a tap-in.”

Ring highlighted the spirit to get back into the game after going behind early in the game.

He added: “We’ve done it twice in four days so it’s good thing to have in the squad, everyone here watching the game could see we never give up so we can always come back.”

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Pictures: Vaughan Photography