Match ends, Lincoln City 1, Cheltenham Town 1.
Lincoln City 1-1 Cheltenham Town
- From the section Conference
Cheltenham had to settle for a point on their return to life in the National League after being held by Lincoln.
The Robins, fielding 11 debutants, led through Jack Munns, who scored at the second attempt after home goalkeeper Paul Farman's initial save.
The away side had chances to extend their lead but were pegged back when Liam Hearn equalised.
The substitute got on the end of an Alan Power corner and turned his header home to earn City a point.
Lincoln City manager Chris Moyses told BBC Radio Lincolnshire:
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"I'm delighted with a point but I thought we should have come away with a little bit more in the second half, we had a lot more of the play. It got a little bit direct at times but I thought that was an effective way that we might beat them. We certainly finished the stronger side.
"The back four were solid, first and foremost they defended and that's what's going to win us games this season. If we don't concede goals we don't get beaten and that's where we want to be.
"Liam came on and that was just instinct, that's the sort of goals he'll score all season and that's why we got him. I think everyone's seen a lot of positives today, we've stood up to quite a few battles out there today and done really well."
Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:
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"I thought we deserved a lot more in the first half, I thought we had a few penalty appeals and we had two or three very good chances.
"In the second half we didn't hold the ball well enough as a team, and yet that's one of our strengths, maybe some of the younger lads aren't used to that happening.
"We've picked up a point away from home, but I was encouraged by the first half and disappointed by the second and we've got to sort that out - there's plenty of time and our lads are going to be learning, and hopefully they'll be learning quickly."
Line-ups
Lincoln City
- 1Farman
- 2Wood
- 5Waterfall
- 7MuldoonSubstituted forHodgeat 90+1'minutes
- 18Beevers
- 21SparrowSubstituted forNolanat 71'minutes
- 4Stanley
- 26Howe
- 9Rhead
- 8Power
- 16SimmonsSubstituted forHearnat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Hearn
- 11Nolan
- 13Grant
- 17Hodge
- 23Brown
Cheltenham
- 1Phillips
- 2Barthram
- 5Downes
- 4Storer
- 3McLennan
- 6Parslow
- 7PellSubstituted forHanksat 79'minutes
- 9Wright
- 10Morgan-SmithSubstituted forHallat 82'minutes
- 11MunnsBooked at 28mins
- 8Waters
Substitutes
- 12Kitscha
- 14Hall
- 16Hanks
- 18Rowe
- 23Bowen
- Attendance:
- 2,767
Match Stats
Home TeamLincoln CityAway TeamCheltenham
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away7
- Corners
- Home14
- Away14
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away9
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Lincoln City 1, Cheltenham Town 1.
Foul by Lee Beevers (Lincoln City).
Jack Munns (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Elliot Hodge replaces Jack Muldoon.
Attempt saved. Jack Munns (Cheltenham Town) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved.
Foul by Aaron Downes (Cheltenham Town).
Paul Farman (Lincoln City) wins a free kick.
Corner, Cheltenham Town.
Foul by Luke Waterfall (Lincoln City).
Jack Barthram (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick.
Corner, Cheltenham Town.
Substitution
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. Asa Hall replaces Amari Morgan-Smith.
Corner, Lincoln City.
Substitution
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. Joe Hanks replaces Harry Pell.
Corner, Lincoln City.
Goal!
Goal! Lincoln City 1, Cheltenham Town 1. Liam Hearn (Lincoln City) header from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Alan Power with a cross.
Corner, Lincoln City.
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Jon Nolan replaces Matt Sparrow.
Corner, Lincoln City.
Foul by Kyle Storer (Cheltenham Town).
Liam Hearn (Lincoln City) wins a free kick.
Corner, Cheltenham Town.
Foul by Danny Parslow (Cheltenham Town).
Liam Hearn (Lincoln City) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Liam Hearn replaces Alex Simmons.
Attempt missed. Harry Pell (Cheltenham Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Corner, Cheltenham Town.
Foul by Jack Muldoon (Lincoln City).
Aaron Downes (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick.
Offside, Lincoln City. Jack Muldoon tries a through ball, but Jack Muldoon is caught offside.
Foul by Matt Rhead (Lincoln City).
Aaron Downes (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick.
Offside, Lincoln City. Alex Simmons tries a through ball, but Alex Simmons is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Matt Rhead (Lincoln City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Alan Power.
Foul by Harry Pell (Cheltenham Town).
Alex Simmons (Lincoln City) wins a free kick.
Attempt saved. Luke Waterfall (Lincoln City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved.
Corner, Lincoln City.
Corner, Cheltenham Town.