By Nathan Jackson
March 21 2006

City's playoff hopes were given a renewed hope after results on Tuesday night went as well as we could have wanted. The main fixture of the night was between the ever impressive Cheltenham and improving Wrexham and if the Welshmen win, they would move ahead of the Imps.

It wasn't looking good for the Imps when in-form striker, Matt Derbyshire gave the men from Denbighshire the lead in the first minute, however, Cheltenham turned it around quickly as 2 goals 10 minutes eitherside of half time from McCann and Guinan meant that the Gloucestershire side would cement their own playoff place if they held on, however, Derbyshire popped up again just under 10 minutes after Guinan had gifted the Robins the lead. The game finished 2-2 and was the best result possible for the Imps, it means that City are still 2 points head of Wrexham but now 5 behinds behind Cheltenham with a game in hand.

The other game of interest for the Imps was Grimsby's game at Rochdale and going into added on time and the Mariners had an advance after Toner and Bolland goals sandwiched a 52nd minute. It appeared that the Mariners would move top of the table but a 93rd minute equaliser from Lambert forced the game into a 2-2 draw. This will come as a welcome boost for the Imps before the Mariners visit Sincil Bank on Saturday.

The only other game of the night finished 1-1 between Bury and Oxford. Tomorrow, Boston could do the Imps a favour if they avoid losing to Northampton but Saturday could see the Imps move back into the playoffs because even though the Imps have a difficult home tie against Grimsby, Cheltenham and Peterborough both have extremely tricky ties. Faltering Peterborough face a trip to a resurgent Oxford and Cheltenham face a home tie against rapidly improving Rushden and with the Imps facing a trip to Carlisle next Tuesday, City could firmly establish themselves in the playoffs if results go dramatically our way.