We showed Lincoln United too much respect says joint Hucknall Town boss after defeat

He said: “Lincoln’s third goal killed us off and their ruthlessness to score at crucial times proved the difference in the end.

“I felt we played well for 30/35 minutes across the game, but for the remainder, we gave Lincoln too much respect, let them have a lot of the possession and found it difficult to cause them many problems during these periods.”

A well organised Lincoln started to show their class from around the 15 minute mark but Yellows managed to contain them.

A chance on 24 minutes was saved by the Lincoln keeper as Harry Johnson crossed to Joe Ashurst, whose shot was deflected to Ayeal Dill for a tap-in only for the keeper to save.

After that Lincoln continued to apply the pressure and after 33 minutes that paid off with a scrappy goal to make it 1-0.

Towards the end of the first period Lincoln continued to apply pressure and on 44 minutes they converted a penalty after a foul by Sam Sims to make it 2-0 at the break with Yellows certainly playing their part and having opportunities.

At the start of the second half, Louis Czerwak fired over while Hucknall were unlucky not to get a penalty on as Dill went down in the box before Brad Lathall forced the keeper in to a save. After some dogged defending by Hucknall, Lincoln grabbed their third on 66 minutes to put the game to bed.