Cowley feels the joy of six

LINCOLN boss Danny Cowley praised his players for their grit in a 2-1 win at Cambridge.

The Imps went six points clear after coming from behind to triumph.

Jabo Ibehre’s header was cancelled out by Neal Eardley’s free-kick, before John Akinde struck a 75th-mintue winner as Cowley’s men bounced back from their 2-1 defeat at Crewe.

“We were disappointed with ourselves on Boxing Day,” said Cowley. “Grit, determination, we didn’t have those, but we had them in abundance today and managed to find a way. We had to dig really deep today and I’m proud of the boys.”

Second-placed MK Dons drew 2-2 at Northampton, having led 2-0 thanks to goals from Alex Gilbey and Chuks Aneke. Andy Williams reduced the deficit before Junior Morias levelled in stoppage time.

Mansfield in third and fourth-placed Colchester are still two points behind MK Dons after each being held to goalless draws.

Aston Villa v QPR, Blackburn v West Brom, Brentford v Norwich, Derby v Middlesbrough, Hull v Bolton, Ipswich v Millwall, Nottingham Forest v Leeds, Reading v Swansea, Rotherham v Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham, Stoke v Bristol City, Wigan v Sheffield Utd.

Blackpool v Sunderland, Bradford v Accrington,

Bury v Crewe, Crawley v Colchester, Forest Green v Northampton, Grimsby v Mansfield (1pm), Lincoln City v Port Vale, Macclesfield v Tranmere, Milton Keynes Dons v Cambridge Utd, Morecambe v Carlisle, Oldham v Notts County, Stevenage v Newport Co, Swindon v Exeter, Yeovil v Cheltenham.