JONES TIPS HAT TO HIS BATTLERS
Nathan Jones showered his Luton Town ‘battlers’ in praise after their resilient display earned a point at Sincil Bank.
Lincoln City have been scoring freely in their first season back in the Football League but failed to break through against the highflying Hatters.
“I am so proud of my players because this is a really good point to gain,” said Jones.
“Lincoln have a certain style of playing and we had to battle really hard and compete hard. My players were battlers and that is pleasing.
“We like to see ourselves as a passing team whereas Lincoln win a free-kick in their own corner flag and they pump it into your penalty box.
“They put a lot of pressure on us and because of that and the fouls they win there was no flow to the game at all. But we stuck to the task and on another day could even have grabbed a winner. We’re looking forfantastic ward to getting back to Kenilworth Road because we know if we can win those home games and continue to pick up points on our travels, we’ll be where we want to be.”
The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with striker Danny Hylton twice going close inside the opening ten minutes.
At the other end Matt Rhead came within a whisker of meeting strike partner Matt Green’s enticing cross. And moments later, winger Billy Knott fired a 20-yard strike inches wide.
The hosts pushed forward after the break and Town goalkeeper Marek Stech had to be alert to palm away a dangerous Nathan Arnold cross.
A mistake by Norwich City loanee Sean Raggett almost gifted Hylton the perfect opportunity to open the scoring but Michael Bostwick eventually cleared for the Imps.
But it was Lincoln in the ascendancy and after Arnold had his closerange effort superbly saved by Stech, the latter was in the right place again to deny Luke Waterfall from the resulting corner.
Danny Cowley’s men remain undefeated on home soil this term.
The Imps boss said: “It was a game of football between two strong sides who both wanted to win the game.
“I thought Luton were the best side to come here in a long, long time and any team that finishes above Luton at the end of the season will be promoted – it’s as simple as that.
“But our energy levels were excellent and it’s just a shame we couldn’t quite get the three points in front of a big crowd.
“We played well, created chances and their goalkeeper pulled off a number of very good saves.
“We looked the stronger and fitter team at the end. Of course we wanted to get the win but we’re happy with a point against a very good side.”