Match ends, Lincoln City 2, Forest Green Rovers 1.
League Two leaders Lincoln ended a run of three games without a win by beating Forest Green Rovers at Sincil Bank.
The afternoon got off to a great start for the Imps when John Akinde fired them in front after just eight minutes, picking up on Harry Anderson's pass to fire low into the left-hand corner.
But Rovers responded superbly, equalising just four minutes later through Reece Brown, whose low strike beat Josh Vickers.
It was an even contest, both sides testing the opposition keeper, but Carl Winchester and Brown had chances to put the visitors ahead just after the hour mark, but fired over the bar.
Lincoln made them pay after 72 minutes as Kellan Gordon grabbed the winner. Shay McCartan found Gordon in the six-yard box and the substitute calmly found the bottom corner.
Vickers had to be on hand to deny Rovers a second equaliser, keeping out Dayle Grubb's strike eight minutes from time, but Lincoln held on to keep top spot.
Report supplied by Press Association.
Line-ups
Lincoln City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Vickers
- 15Wilson
- 16Bostwick
- 5Shackell
- 14Toffolo
- 8FrecklingtonSubstituted forMcCartanat 59'minutes
- 4O'Connor
- 26AndersonBooked at 47minsSubstituted forGordonat 71'minutes
- 7Pett
- 11Carvalho AndradeBooked at 77mins
- 29AkindeSubstituted forGreenat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Gordon
- 6Wharton
- 9Rhead
- 10Green
- 17McCartan
- 18Mensah
- 24Slocombe
Forest Green
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Sanchez
- 7Winchester
- 16GunningBooked at 67mins
- 19McGinley
- 23Mills
- 20Digby
- 4James
- 18ArchibaldSubstituted forWilliamsat 86'minutes
- 10BrownBooked at 39mins
- 8GrubbSubstituted forPearceat 88'minutes
- 14CampbellSubstituted forReidat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Rawson
- 11Williams
- 13Montgomery
- 17Pearce
- 21Worthington
- 22Morris
- 26Reid
- Referee:
- Anthony Backhouse
- Attendance:
- 8,542
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away5
- Corners
- Home4
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Lincoln City 2, Forest Green Rovers 1.
Post update
Kellan Gordon (Lincoln City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Isaac Pearce (Forest Green Rovers).
Post update
Foul by Shay McCartan (Lincoln City).
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Gavin Gunning (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Tom Pett (Lincoln City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Nathan McGinley (Forest Green Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Isaac Pearce replaces Dayle Grubb.
Substitution
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. George Williams replaces Theo Archibald.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Paul Digby (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt saved. Dayle Grubb (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Michael Bostwick (Lincoln City).
Post update
Dayle Grubb (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Matt Green replaces John Akinde.
Post update
Attempt saved. Dayle Grubb (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Booking
Bruno Andrade (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Bruno Andrade (Lincoln City).
Post update
Carl Winchester (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Reuben Reid replaces Tahvon Campbell.