By Nathan Jackson
April 14 2010

It's not often you go to a game and see near enough everything possible, but that's what a midweek defeat at Notts County saw. Two goals in the opening five minutes, a seemingly blatent penalty ignored, a red card, broken ribs and even a steward getting arrested, the game had near enough everything.

The Imps went into the match knowing that win would virtually guarantee safety, Notts could have ended the night promoted but would have relied on results elsewhere for that to happen.

City had conceded within 14 seconds of the start of the match when a free kick was whipped in by Davies, Burch flapped at it and Hughes headed in to delight the home crowd. However, their delight was short lived as the Notts defence failed to deal with a long ball at the back and Steven Lennon popped in for his first goal since February 16th to bring City level in the fourth minute.

Davies hit a free kick wide of the post and their was outrage in the home ranks as the hosts were denied a penalty that was about as blatent as they come. The ball was played through and Baker cleary indicated to Burch to collect it, but the keeper reacted slowly and ex-Imp Westcarr tried to nip in, but was tripped by Burch before Baker cleared. It appeared a certain penalty, which brought the amazement of it not being given even more surprisingly.

Controversy continues a few minutes later when Swaibu and Westcarr colided badly, resulting in the Imps man having broken ribs. However, the referee judged Swaibu's 50/50 challenge to be wreckless and sent him off. Due to it being his second red card of the season, he would miss the remainder of the season even if he wasn't injured.

Somma came close to scoring with a curling effort from 25 yards, only to be denied by a fine save from Schmeichel in what turned out to be City's final shot on target of the game. Hughes had a shot cleared off the line to end the half.

Herd was struggling early in the second half and after two extended periods on the floor, was substituted and replaced by Clarke. Lennon was booked for fouling Westcarr.

The second half wasn't nearly as action packed as the first and it seemed almost inevitable when the second goal came as Lee flung himself at the ball to head in beyond Burch.

City tried in vein to get an equaliser but the game was finally over just before the 90 minute mark when Delroy Facey, who was on loan at the Imps earlier this season, sent a thunderous shot into the net on the underside of the bar and the game ended at that point.

Luckily for the Imps, Grimsby's 2-0 lead at home to Chesterfield had turned around into a 2-2 draw, meaning City are 8 points clear with four games to play.

Imps lose a game that had near-enough everything

Discussion started by theimps.ka (IP Logged), 14/04/2010 00:48

theimps.ka
14/04/2010 00:48

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Strila22
14/04/2010 08:47

Results went our way - but injuries didn;t. Baker has to stay fit for us now.
Who played right back last night, I presume Greeny went to CB?

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cherryexile
14/04/2010 08:55

Lennon played right back when Saibu went off.

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Rob Peel
14/04/2010 23:13

GIve MichaelGordon a run on sat

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PoshImp
15/04/2010 18:26

I could do a job in central defence?

At least, they'd find it hard to get past me!

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