One-time Blues boss lauds surprise table-toppers as Barton calls for new blood after fourth straight loss

LINCOLN

City went to the League One summit with a frantic late 3-2 win away to 10-man Blackpool, writes Jordan Cross.

The Imps twice battled from behind to snare victory after James Husband was sent-off for the Tangerines.

Former Pompey boss Michael Appleton was delighted with the character of his Lincoln players.

He told Lincolnshire Live: ‘We ticked a lot of boxes as a team. To go behind two times and win it, and win it in the fashion we did, was great.’

Elsewhere, Fleetwood Town’s slow start continued as Rochdale picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 success at home to the Cod Army.

Fabio Tavares’ last-minute finish sent last season’s playoff finishers spinning to their fourth loss on the bounce in all competitions.

Fleetwood boss Joey

Barton told the Blackpool Gazette: ‘It felt like a kick in the proverbials because I thought there was only one team looking likely to go on and win the game, certainly on the balance of play in the second half.

‘We need reinforcements and I have been crying out for them for six or eight weeks now.’

Hull City continued their fine opening after relegation from the Championship as they kept up their 100 per cent record with a 1-0 win at home to Plymouth Argyle.

Hakeeb Adelakun’s 10th-minute strike did the damage for the Tigers, who trail Lincoln by the slender margin of goals scored.

Tigers boss Grant McCann told BBC Radio Humberside: ‘We set out to be really aggressive and be on the front foot. They’re a really good team, Plymouth, they play well, they play it out from the back.’

Ipswich Town’s own 100 per cent record came to an end as MK Dons picked up their second point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Stadium MK.

Jon Nolan gave the Tractor Boys a half-time lead, before Daniel Harvie rescued a deserved point for Russell Martin’s side.

It was the first league goal Ipswich have conceded this season and it meant they dropped to third in the table.

Although a decent point for MK Dons, it wasn’t enough to prevent them dropping to the foot of the table.

Two fancied contenders,

Charlton Athletic and

Sunderland, played out a 0-0 draw at The Valley.

Tom Flanagan was sent-off for the visitors, who will feel frustrated they didn’t take one of the host of first-half chances which came their way.

Sunderland, nonetheless, are up to fourth and remain unbeaten. Charlton are 14th.

Elsewhere, two goals from Jonson ClarkeHarris helped

Peterborough United to a 3-1 win at home to a

Swindon Town side including former Pompey captain Brett Pitman.

Wigan Athletic followed up their win over Pompey last weekend with a 1-0 success at home to Doncaster Rovers. Joe Garner’s second-half goal settled a tight encounter at the DW Stadium.

Bristol Rovers picked up their first victory with a 2-0 success at home to 10-man

Northampton Town.

Brandon Hanlan’s penalty and a Jack Baldwin strike, both in the second half, gave the Gas three welcome points.

Accrington Stanley were 2-1 winners away to

AFC Wimbledon, for whom ex-Pompey loanee Steve Seddon played the full 90 minutes.

Jordan Graham netted in the fourth minute of added time to salvage a 1-1 draw for Gillingham away to

Shrewsbury Town. The Shrews are one of two sides yet to win.