“What a game that was. Two really good sides there.”

Views from Luke Willson following Saturdays 2-1 win at home against Milton Keynes Dons in Sky Bet League Two: “What a game that was. Two really good sides there.

Brilliant effort from us with being completely outnumbered in midfield for most of the game, 5 vs 2 at times, but Bostwick and in particular Shackell were absolute rocks at the back, especially when you consider that Toffolo gallops down the left wing all game and leaves lots of space and Pett and O’Connor covered every blade of grass. Pett offers similar levels of energy that Woodyard had.

Two games within one as the first hour were two fully committed teams being really physical, breaking the play up (as shown by MK’s 5 yellows) but playing a bit as well. Then Tisdale opened the game up on the hour, abandoning the 5-4-1 come 5-3-2, took a defender off, threw Agard on and went 4-3-3, which really opened the game up and the final 30 minutes felt end to end.

The first half, both sides had a presentable chance each. McCartan’s bicycle kick and Vickers, making a welcome return to the side, pulls off a great save low down.

The second half didn’t get going until MK scored, which was pretty much straight after they changed their system IIRC. Really, really tight angle, through the ‘keeper’s legs.

Wonderful hit from McCartan into the opposite top corner from an Akinde knockdown and just as you think we’re getting a draw, Shackell pops up with a winner with what was basically the last kick (head) of the game with 5 seconds to go.

MK are a good side, probably the best we’ve faced at SB since we returned to the FL. Three passes and they go from one box to the other but you can see why they don’t score too many. They don’t really have a focal point to their attack – Tisdale doesn’t have Stockley. Lots of similar types of players. They tried two extremely tall strikers up there today but neither looked comfortable doing what they were being asked to do. Looked far better with Agard up front.

Mention to Stuart Atwell as well. You can’t half tell when you have a PL or higher FL ref.

As for the Lancaster banking in and over the Stadium – what a moment that was. We could see it for a minute or so as it came in over the City and then a hard left and it was coming over. That happened as MK Dons were celebrating their goal so it was brilliantly timed! I’m sure they’ll be footage of that somewhere and that lifted an already good atmosphere.”

Other views from the Match Thread:

Brendan Bradley: “Really good game. A draw would have been a fair result as MK were a tidy side who certainly posed a threat, but the team keeps getting results, as there’s now some real quality where it matters.

I reckon if you took the points we actually earned from the balance of play we’d have 15 now, so 22 is a sign of that little something extra.

But there’s also a steady improvement and we look like a top of the table team now.”

Snats: “How timely was the Lancaster flyover? Really got the fans going again right after MK had scored. The atmosphere was great all day today actually, much better than the Crawley game.”

Gaz_Imp: “Thought Pett was excellent today, especially first half, the man of the match for me. Cannot be dropped on that form, be interesting to see what we do when Freck is back. Akinde, Andrade and Shack were also very good. Got to point with Andrade where he makes something happen every time he gets it, will at least win a throw-in or corner, usually gets a decent ball in, or has an effort. Cannot believe some people don’t rate Akinde, he must be an absolute nightmare to play against. And what a signing Big Shack is, so composed, amazed he has not scored more in his careers.

Fans also brilliant, what a moment with the Lancaster, lifted a good atmosphere to a great one.

Cannot stand MK Dons I’m delighted.”

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

"What a game that was. Two really good sides there.":https://t.co/Hf35Q0MOq0#ImpsAsOne #MKDons #EFL

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) September 25, 2018

https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/1866079290094974

Lincoln City				Milton Keynes Dons
McCartan 72', Shackell 90+4'				Healey 64'
Vickers				Nicholls
O'Connor				Williams
Shackell				Lewington
Pett				Walsh
Andrade				Cissé
Toffolo				Watson
Bostwick				Gilbey			58'
McCartan			78'	Aneke			82'
Eardley				Moore-Taylor
Anderson			89'	Houghton			58'
Akinde			90+6'	Brittain
Substitutes
Smith				Moore
Gordon				Sow			82'
Rhead			90+6'	Hancox
Green			89'	Agard			58'
Chapman				Simpson
Wilson				Cargill
Mensah			78'	Healey			58'

Game Statistics
21	Goal attempts	12
5	On Target	8
12	Corners	7
9	Fouls	15
1	Yellow Cards	5
0	Red Cards	0
56	%	44