IT’S SUCH A DARK DAY FOR DANNY
DANNY Cowley was highly critical of his team and left “ashamed” after Crewe Alexandra inflicted his biggest home defeat as Lincoln manager.
A Jordan Bowery brace added to Harry Pickering’s free-kick and Paul Green’s penalty as the visitors came from behind to win convincingly.
It was only the Imps’ third home defeat of the season and Cowley didn’t mince his words afterwards.
“I’ve been a manager for 11 years and overseen more than 600 games but that has to be one of the worst performances I have seen from one of my sides pound-forpound,” he said.
“It was disgraceful. I feel disappointed and ashamed in equal measure and as a manager, I have to take responsibility.
“On behalf of the team, I have to apologise to everyone associated with the football club because they deserve a lot better than they got.
“The goals we conceded were terrible but what was most disappointing is we threw the towel in and that’s painful for me to say.”
A dire first half finally came to life in the 35th minute as the hosts went ahead.
Sam Habergham’s free-kick was headed across the face of goal by Luke Waterfall and duly met by the onrushing Michael Bostwick, who made no mistake from close range.
As the Imps looked to preserve their lead going into the break, midfielder Alex Woodyard brought down Green on the edge of the area on the stroke of halftime. Pickering lined up the resulting free-kick and fired an unstoppable effort over the wall and into the top corner of Ryan Allsop’s net. Cowley introduced winger Harry Anderson for the second half to freshen things up but it was the Railwaymen who were soon in front.
On 48 minutes, Shaun Miller found himself in acres of space down the left and his cross was converted at the near post by Bowery.
Six minutes later, the visitors were further in front after Bostwick brought down Miller in the area and Green fired the spot-kick low to Allsop’s left.
Alex fans were in dreamland on 68 minutes as Green broke from a Lincoln corner and, after running 50 yards, teed up Bowery, who calmly dinked the ball over Allsop to complete the rout.
Crewe manager David Artell was naturally delighted with his side’s display.
“I have to say it was the performance of the season and it’s been coming,” he said.
“I can only recall Lincoln having one other shot other than the one they scored from. Apart from that, our goalkeeper hasn’t had to make a save.
“I was disappointed with their goal – we conceded two poor headers.
“But take nothing away from us. If we concede one every week but score four ourselves, then I would be very happy.”