BOSTWICK GAFFE HALTS IMPS RUN
ADOWNCAST Danny Cowley bemoaned a “lacklustre” first half display after Lincoln City’s surprise home defeat to Crawley Town.
The Imps slipped to their first league defeat of the season after Michael Bostwick’s own-goal in first half added time, although they remain top on goal difference from Newport.
City had been second best prior to the goal and then had skipper Lee Frecklington sent off early in the second half for a rash challenge on Mark Connolly.
The 10 men rallied, dominating the remainder of the match, but they couldn’t force an equaliser.
Cowley admitted the disappointing first half showing gave his side too much to do.
“I’m disappointed with our first half performance,” he said. “We were lacklustre and were short of our levels, both physically and mentally. Playing into a strong wind, we didn’t get our strategy right, which was frustrating. We weren’t brave enough on the ball and didn’t utilise the three-man midfield and looked a little bit lethargic.
“They scored just on halftime, which is never a good time to concede, then to lose our captain was very tough.
“We played really well in the second half with 10. It’s so frustrating we played better with 10 than we did with 11.”
Town controlled the first half with Panutche Camara forcing Grant Smith into a good save after 20 minutes.
The Imps should have taken the lead a minute before the break when John Akinde poked wide from close range. It proved to be a costly miss when Filipe Morais’s deflected cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Bostwick.
Despite Frecklington’s red card, Lincoln dominated the rest of the match, but couldn’t force an equaliser.
Crawley would have impressed new manager Gabriele Cioffi, who was watching from the stand as joint caretaker-bosses Jimmy Smith and Morais took charge for the final time.
Morais said: “It’s been tough, but when you get a re- ward like this it makes it all worth it.
“It’s a difficult job to do, especially as a player, but I’ve had Jimmy by my side and ultimately we have done a good job.
“I’m delighted with the lads. We saw a group of players who played with real heart and determination.
“The players have done everything we have asked of them over the last two weeks, and we couldn’t be more proud of their desire.
“We’re both just chuffed for the club and for the fans who have made a long trip up here. “It’s been tiring for us. There’s been a lot of late nights and many two to three hour conversations to make sure we get things right.”