Appleton’s just desserts
GRANT MCCANN hailed the match-winning contribution from Keane Lewispotter.
Lewis-potter was a threat from kick-off and scored twice for his hometown club, who are now six points clear at the top of the table.
Mccann said: “I thought he was excellent. He started really brightly and played really well. When Keano’s playing with that confidence it’s great to see.
“When I left him out against Bristol Rovers I always had in the back of my mind that this game would be good for him – to freshen him up and bring him back in. He’s gone up a notch. He caused (Anthony) Forde lots of problems all game and I’m really, really pleased with Keane’s performance.
“He’s done really well and has run himself into the ground. It was another good performance and another
HULL CITY
MICHAEL APPLETON admitted Lincoln got exactly what they deserved. City fell behind to Oliver Rathbone’s effort and might have conceded further goals before Morgan Rogers’ stunning leveller.
Stephen Humphrys grabbed Dale’s winner to leave Appleton questioning his side’s spirit. “We got what we deserved – we got win. I couldn’t be more pleased since we lost at Ipswich.
“We know this has been the season of all seasons, and I don’t think people understand how relentless it’s been for the players.”
Karl Robinson accepted that scoring goals is becoming a difficulty in Oxford’s quest for the play-offs. He said: “I’m really proud of the players.
“For 60 minutes. we were the better ream, but we have to take our chances.
“I felt that in that first 30 minutes we missed a number of chances.
“For large parts, we dominated the game and hurt them, But for the last 35 minutes we were dominated.
“I think it’s not a lack of confidence (scoring goals) because they care so much.”
OXFORD UTD
Lincoln City 1 Rochadale 2
nothing. It was 2-1 and probably should have been more,” said Appleton.
“We’ve got talent, we know we’ve got talent, we’ve got players who can hurt teams and, on our day, can beat teams up at times with our ability.
“But the game is about more than that, it’s about earning the right to play and earning the right to gain territory on the opposition.
“It summed up the game that we produced a bit of quality to get back into the game.
“A team with real, real desire to get out of the league and be successful goes on to win that game.”
Brian Barry-murphy saw his Rochdale side give their survival hopes a major boost.
“It was a high-level performance from our lads,” he said. “It fills us with confidence and hope as we head towards an exciting end of the season.”