Wildig on target as Shrimps show grit

Aaron Wildig celebrating his goal at Sincil Bank

Jim Bentley’s side had to endure long periods of pressure but some brave defending and superb goalkeeping from Barry Roche ensured they took a share of the points.

After being under sustained pressure the Shrimps took the lead in the 54th minute. Patrick Brough did well down the left-hand side to get in a cross from a tight angle and Aaron Wildig ran into the box unseen by the home defence and volleyed past Paul Farman from 12 yards out.

The home side maintained their pressure with Matt Green firing inches wide and Matt Rhead foiled by a stunning Barry Roche save before the Imps scored with 20 minutes to go.

A Morecambe move broke down and Lincoln countered quickly, with Green getting the better of Sam Lavelle in the box and firing the ball under the advancing Roche.

The first half was a real battle with Lincoln creating a number of chances. The best came from Jordan Maguire-Drew who forced a wonderful save from Roche with a curling right foot effort that the keeper turned on to the crossbar.

Roche had to be at his best again just after the half-hour when Nathan Arnold worked an opening for himself in the box but saw his low shot well saved by the Shrimps’ keeper at full stretch.

Either side of the saves, Lincoln missed several good chances with Rhead twice heading wide from close range, Michael Bostwick firing wide and Green seeing two shots blocked by some desperate Shrimps defence.

At the other end the visitors had chances of their own. Garry Thompson saw a volley cleared off the line by Sean Raggett before Aaron McGowan hit the crossbar with a 30-yard volley.

Both sides pushed for the winner but defences held firm with a point the reward for the Shrimps’ efforts.

Lincoln: Farman, Long, Eardley, Dickie, Raggett, Woodyard, Bostwick, Maguire-Drew (Anderson 83) , Arnold, Rhead ( Palmer 83), Green. Subs (not used): Vickers, Waterfall, Howe, Knott, Whitehouse.

Morecambe: Roche, McGowan, Lavelle, Winnard, Kenyon, Brough, Rose, Wildig ( Fleming 84), Thompson, Ellison ( Turner 73), Oliver (Old 76). Subs (not used): Nizic, Conlan, Campbell, Osborne.

Ref: G Ward.

Att: 8,060.