Burton Albion were beaten 2-1 by Lincoln City with goals from Anthony Scully and Lewis Fiorini being the difference in the game before a late comeback from the hosts. Conor Shaughnessy got a late goal for Burton, but it wasn't enough. 

A top defensive performance from Micheal Appleton's men seen them through as they picked up the three points bouncing back from last weeks defeat.

  • Story of the game

First Half

The game got off to a feisty start with both teams seeming up for it early doors. Lincoln were moving the ball well and called Ben Garratt into action multiple times early on. 

The visitors took the lead on the 10th minute, Lewis Fiorini netted after Harry Chapman lost the ball in midfield. It was a superb strike from the 19-year-old. 

However, it was almost an immediate response from the Brewers, Dan Jebbison found himself in on goal and put his low effort just wide of the post. 

Lincoln could have and probably should have double their lead as the half hour mark was approaching, Adelakun came flying in at the back post but couldn't keep his effort down. 

The game started to liven up again after 30 minutes,  a handful of half chances fell to the Brewers but navy shirts were putting their lives on the line, Teddy Bishop in particular made an unreal tackle at the last second after Joe Powell attempted to find Chapman on the penalty spot. 

The sides went into half time with Lincoln 1-0 up, but it didn't entirely tell the story of the game. The visitors at times were on the ropes at the back, but defended expertly well as the Brewers frontline were causing mayhem. 

Second Half 

Burton came out strong at the start of the second, and Griffiths made another brilliant stop, this time to deny Jebbison as the 18-year-old rose well in the air to meet a loose ball. 

Just a few moments later, the ball was in the back of the net at the other end. Lincoln doubled their lead, this time Anthony Scully smashed home after arriving at the back post. Burton defence was all over the place, pure sloppiness. 

As the sun came out, the songs and cheers just kept on coming from the Imps away end, everything was going right - and it was the comlete opposite feeling for the hosts. They were pushing, but the Lincoln goalkeeper and defence were giving their absolute all. 

Lincoln were taking their time with everything, and the Burton players were getting more and more wound up - as you would.

On the 85th minute, Burton finally got a goal back. Conor Shaughnessy put the ball home after the ball bounced around in the box. It took a goalmouth scramble with a tap in to crack the near perfect Lincoln defence. 

There was a very late scare for Lincoln, however saves from Griffiths and combinations of blocks by defenders got them over the line in the end. 

  • Key Takeaway

Lincoln's solid defence

There's no denying that the two goals were the most important part of the game and obviously the main reason that the visitors took home the three points, however it's near on impossible not to talk about that back four and goalkeeper. 

Lewis Montsma and TJ Eyoma were like a brick wall in centre half and didn't miss a thing. With the help from wingbacks, they isolated the Burton strikers as much as possible. It's the perfect defensive performance if I've ever seen one - other than the consolation at the end. 

  • Man Of The Match

Josh Griffiths

The Lincoln keeper was absolutely sensational all game long and saved his side multiple times.