Second Half Wonder Show Puts Stanley To The Sword

Struggling Lincoln City slammed in four goals in the final 12 minutes to clinch a remarkable victory over Accrington Stanley.

The first half was a terrible affair with a weak Accrington side in control of a scrappy game of football. They went ahead after 11 minutes when John Miles cut in from the left before lifting his shot over Rob Burch and into the top corner. In truth Paul Green should have perhaps provided a tackle, but Miles conjured up an impressive finish.

Miles caused Lincoln problems again in the 21st minute when his cross into the box caused chaos, beating Burch before Lee Beevers eventually headed over his own bar.

Andrew Proctor then had a possible second disallowed for a foul in the area, a decision that was correct and brought few protests from Stanley. At this stage City hardly strung two passes together, and Accrington looked likely to score more.

Accrington had three more good chances in the closing minutes before the break. First Miles was sent clear but from a good position failed to find the net.

Then Gregg Blundell set up Jamie Clarke whose low shot was deflected past Burch, only for Daniel Hone to clear off the line.

With Lincoln reeling Miles fired another cross into the box. Proctor got between two defenders, but with a goal at his mercy failed to hit the target.

The first half ended with chants of '4-4-2' in reference to the fans preferred formations, as well as a chorus of boo's ringing out around Sincil Bank. Stefan Oakes and Lenny John-Lewis were correctly taken off at half time, whereas David Graham was unlucky to come off after ploughing a lone furrow up front.

Manager Peter Jackson brought on substitutes Adrian Patulea, Ben Wright and Sam Mullarkey in a bid to pep up his team, but a few morons felt this wasn't the right move by booing Ben Wright ON the field. Disgraceful.

The switch paid off with Lincoln altering formation to 4-4-2 and over-running Stanley, completely outclassing their weaker opponents. The first touch of the second half saw a fired up Patulea steam into a challenge to concede a free kick - it might have been a foul but it showed that someone had desire and passion.

The equaliser came in the 68th minute after constant City pressure when Aaron Brown smartly crossed from the left. Wright saw his effort come back off Kenny Arthur and Patulea put the ball into the net from close range, whilst Ben Wright was clearly held back by a defender. Irrespective of that the finish was a real Poachers goal.

Patulea then hit the post with a low shot before deservedly Lincoln took the lead in the 78th minute.

Mullarkey showed a nice touch on the right before crossing and man of the match Aaron Brown was allowed to steal in from the far post to head home.

Brown was booked for his celebrations, which involved ripping off his shirt, but five minutes later he set up Lincoln's third goal when his cross was tapped in by Wright. Ben really needed a goal to lift his confidence, and a comfortable finish provided that much needed lift.

Accrington fell apart in stoppage time, although to be fair they'd hardly had a touch inside the forty five minutes either. Mullarkey's hard work created a chance for Patulea who smashed a shot home for his sixth goal of the season, and possibly the pick of the night's goals.

The lively Romanian was involved again when he was brought down by Colin Murdock just seconds later. Lee Frecklington sent the resulting penalty low into the bottom corner and Arthur was unable to keep it out.

At 2-1, Peter Jackson had already made his way to the tunnel area, and it was from here he witnessed the three late goals. In truth on the first half showing City deserved nothing, but in the second half they could have scored a hatful. The difference? In the words of The Stacey West faithful: 4-4-2.