Oxford United's winless run was extended after a 1-0 defeat at Sincil Bank this afternoon.
Danny Mandroiu's first-half penalty was enough to condemn the U's to an eighth defeat in nine games as Craig Short's time as Caretaker Manager saw renewed effort but little change in fortune.
United snapped into early challenges and were markedly quick to close any Imps defenders down if they dared to dawdle on the ball. Marcus Browne was inches wide with an early drive and saw a second one flick wide of the other post via a defender’s back. And then, in what has become a familiar pattern, Lincoln scored.
It came as a ball bobbled around inside the area. Mandroiu went for it and as he twisted, Sam Long’s knee caught him and knocked him over. Ref Lewis Smith had no hesitation and Mandroiu thumped his sixth goal of the season straight down the middle as Simon Eastwood dived to his left.
United continued to press; Kyle Joseph and Sam Long both had shots hacked off the line, but they hadn't forced keeper Carl Rushworth into a meaningful save at half time despite plenty of effort. Having lost five of their last six games at Sincil Bank, and facing a team unbeaten at home all season, the U's had their work cut out, but nobody shirked their responsinilty as they tried to turn the game, and their season, around after the break.
The game began to be played more and more in the Lincoln half, but the problem was exemplified five minutes after the break when Browne lashed in a shot that was heading for the corner flag until Long hooked it onto the roof of the Stacey West Stand: no dig at the players involved but an illustration of good players snatching at chances when they come along.
Gatlin O'Donkor, the one player in goalscoring form, was thrown on ten minutes into the second half but fluffed his lines soon after by hooking a shot over the bar after Stuart Findlay had flicked on a corner. The U's were dominating possession though, and threw on Yanic Wildschut and Marcus McGuane to try and retrieve the situation in the final stages.
Wildschut had a well-struck shot saved by Rushworth at the base of a post and then the home keeper produced the game's crucial moment. Sub Djavan Anderson's first touch was a deft cross which O'Donkor launched himself at. A foot either side and it was a goal, but somehow Rushworth saved the header at point-blank range and United's barren run continued.
Better. But not quite enough. A big week ahead. Get behind the U's as we welcome Derby County. Unite, Oxford. Unite.
Att: 8,092
Away: 594
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Edmunds and Darrell Fisher