Lincoln City matched a club record 12 away games without defeat, a run stretching back to New Year’s Day, with a draw against Peterborough United at London Road.
Kwame Poku’s stunning long-range strike salvaged a point for Peterborough United after Ben House had given the Imps a deserved first-half lead with a precise volley.
Lincoln came into the game without captain Paudie O’Connor, who was serving a suspension, but still fielded a physically imposing side that had troubled other opponents on the road this season. They were chasing a 44-year-old club record of 12 consecutive unbeaten away games, and for most of the match, they looked on course to achieve it.
The visitors’ physicality stifled Peterborough’s attempts to play their trademark passing game, as Darren Ferguson’s side struggled to break down Lincoln’s well-organised press. Peterborough had started brightly, but once Lincoln found their rhythm, they dictated the play with a more direct approach. A key feature of their game was the towering kicks from goalkeeper George Wickens, which constantly pushed the Posh defence onto the back foot.
Lincoln’s opening goal came in the 31st minute and was a moment of real quality. After keeping the ball alive on the left flank following several attempts to penetrate the Peterborough defence, Dom Jefferies delivered a perfectly weighted cross that Ben House met with a first-time volley, giving Jed Steer no chance in the Posh goal.
Peterborough tried to respond, but Lincoln’s defence, led by their towering backline, comfortably handled the home side’s attacks. Hector Kyprianou managed the first real shot on target for the Posh, forcing Wickens into a save from a free-kick routine, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Ricky-Jade Jones also came close with a header but couldn’t find the target.
Lincoln remained dangerous on the counter, with Tom Bayliss and Jovon Makama testing the Peterborough defence on several occasions. House nearly doubled Lincoln’s lead after controlling a long ball with sublime skill, but Steer was quick off his line to make a crucial save.
Peterborough’s equaliser came out of nowhere in the 65th minute when Kwame Poku picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner. The goal lifted the Posh, but despite sending on fresh legs, including Fernandez and Conn-Clarke, they struggled to create further clear chances.
Lincoln, however, continued to threaten late on. Substitute Danny Cadamarteri broke through in the dying minutes, but Steer once again came to the rescue to preserve the point for Peterborough. Despite a frantic 12 minutes of added time, neither side could find a winner, ensuring the Imps matched that club record.
“I think it was a brilliant game of football with two teams set up tactically to try and stop each other playing, but hurt each other as well,” said Imps manager Michael Skubala, whose team remain in the play-off places in the early table.
“Both sides wanted to win the game, and I felt we had moments when we could have won it. We know how they like to play, in a way where they dominate the ball, but we thought we could hurt them.
“We’re disappointed not to have won, but that shows how far we’ve come as a group, as they’ll take points off other teams here. We’ll take a lot of growth from it, though, and I always say, if you can’t win, don’t lose at places like this, so we’ll go again.”
Writer’s View
Lincoln City will feel they missed a golden opportunity to secure a big victory at Weston Homes Stadium. They were well-drilled, physically dominant, and created the better chances throughout the match. Ben House’s goal was a moment of brilliance, but they were unable to hold on for the win, and a lack of killer instinct in the final stages will frustrate Michael Skubala’s side. They perhaps deserved three points based on chances, but the home side did have much more of the ball.
For Peterborough, this match raised concerns about their ability to cope with the physical demands of League One. Poku’s spectacular equaliser was a rare highlight in an otherwise disjointed performance. Darren Ferguson will need to address the team’s struggles to break down physical sides if they are to challenge for promotion this season.
