Oxford United moved level on points with sixth-placed Blackpool following a 2-1 win over Lincoln City.
Despite falling behind, goals from Anthony Forde and Matty Taylor either side of the break secured a vital win for the U’s.
Here’s how #oufc start against Lincoln. pic.twitter.com/TbMkwko3JT
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) March 26, 2021
Karl Robinson made five changes from Tuesday’s defeat at Northampton. Jamie Hanson, James Henry, Mark Sykes, Brandon Barker and Taylor all came into the starting line-up.
Jack Stevens began in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Hanson.
Cameron Brannagan sat behind Sykes and Henry with Barker and Mide Shodipo as the wide men, while Taylor led the line.
A frantic first half presented early chances for both sides. Atkinson headed wide from a Henry free-kick before Anthony Scully opened the scoring for the visitors. The ball came down the Lincoln left and the striker bobbled the ball past Stevens.
Lincoln looked the more comfortable side without putting Stevens under any further pressure but Oxford then started to grow into the game, with a long-range effort from Henry sailing just wide.
Moments later, the returning midfielder had another attempt from distance. Alex Palmer parried the ball but Lewis Montsma had to clear off the line.
The U’s then saw penalty appeals waved away after Harry Anderson kicked the back of Atkinson’s legs. In the build-up, Ruffles picked up a self-inflicted injury following his goal attempt.
Forde was forced to come on as his replacement, moving Hanson out to the left, and it took just two minutes for the substitute to net his first goal of the season. The corner was eventually laid back to the makeshift right-back who smashed the ball past Palmer.
The U’s had their tails up but couldn’t test Palmer again before the break as Sykes saw an effort from outside the box sail wide.
Lincoln had two opportunities before the break. A rare mistake from Brannagan allowed Scully through on goal, but he was offside. Moments later, Anderson raced through on goal and Stevens was handed a yellow card after bringing him down outside the box. The goalkeeper made amends from the resulting set-piece, tipping over Tayo Edun’s effort.
After the restart, Oxford scored with the games best opportunity of the second half. Henry won the ball back from an Imps free kick and delivered a cross into Sykes. His powerful header was stopped by Palmer but Taylor smashed home the rebound.
Lincoln looked for an immediate response and came close through Anderson, but Stevens came out quickly to block the attempt.
Scully curled an effort wide and Shodipo saw an attempt blocked as both sides continued to push midway through the half.
Barker saw an effort parried behind by Palmer after a deflection before Regan headed wide from a corner as the game came to a close.
