Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala has admitted he was gutted for his team after losing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Huddersfield Town yesterday afternoon.
The Imps travelled to Yorkshire in search of their first league win since October. The last team they would have wanted to come up against was the division’s most in-form team, with Huddersfield having won seven of their previous nine outings in the build up to the game.
In truth, Lincoln’s recent performances have not yieilded the results they have deserved at times, but football is a results business. Their winless run has seen them lose touch with the play-off places, whilst the Terriers have stormed up the table into fourth.
Lincoln’s Phenomenal First Half
It was somewhat of a surprise to see Lincoln race into a two-goal lead in the first half. Ben House headed the visitors in front after quarter of an hour before Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri doubled the advantage 10 minutes later. The East Midlands-based outfit were good value for their lead and in truth, could have entered the break even further in front.
The second half was a different story though. Michael Duff made two changes at half time and immediately reaped the rewards when Broadie Spencer pulled one back in the 49th minute. Huddersfield continued to dominate and finally found the equaliser with a minute left on the clock through substitute Callum Marshall.
Skubala ‘Gutted’ For His Team
Speaking to official club media after the game, Skubala admitted he was disappointed not to pick up the three points. However, he did see cause for optimism ahead of the upcoming festive schedule:
“Everyone will have seen that in the first half we were electric and the lads were fantastic.
“The second half was tough and there’s disappointment at having not won, but in the morning we’ll look back and think it’s a good point against a team who are flying high.
“I’m gutted for the lads as they were desperate for three points, but when we look back at coming here and dominating a promotion favourite as we did in the first half there’s a lot to build on and it’ll be a good point.
“We were excellent for 45 minutes and could have scored again to make it 3-0, but we need to have that for longer.
“The two young lads up front were brilliant and if we can put that together for 65 or 70 minutes then we’d probably have done enough to win the game.”
Writer’s View
Lincoln have a reputation as one of the toughest teams to beat in League One, although recent form hasn’t quite lived up to that expectation. Yesterday showed they can compete with the division’s best, and they will be confident they can return to winning ways next week against Reading. A win against the Royals would put their play-off ambitions back on track.
