Cowley hails fighting spirit

LINCOLN boss Danny Cowley says his players showed they have the character needed to last the distance in the promotion race after holding out with 10 men against Northampton.

The Imps took an early lead through Bruno Andrade, but then saw Harry Anderson shown a straight red for a wild challenge on David Buchanan.

The Cobblers equalised in first-half stoppage-time but, after Mansfield lost 1-0 at Newport, Cowley’s side edged three points clear at the top of the table.

“We’re a group of fighters. The players responded brilliantly in the second half,” he said.

Bottom-club Notts County won 2-1 at play-off hopefuls Forest Green. Magpies manager Neal Ardley said: “We could have scored five or six with some great flowing moves.”

Macclesfield claimed a a 3-3 draw against Crewe and boss Sol Campbell said: “We can’t keep climbing Everest every weekend – we gifted them at least two goals.”