Akinde of magic as John seals Imps win

DANNY COWLEY hailed his quartet of strikers after Lincoln marched to the third round by beating Carlisle.

Matt Rhead, who was restored to the side up front along with Matt Green, put the Imps in control of the tie when he turned home Bruno Andrade’s cross after just 30 seconds.

Regular front two, John Akinde and Shay McCartan, replaced Rhead and Green in the second half, with Akinde scoring the gameclinching second goal four minutes from time.

After two frustrating draws against Mansfield and Oldham in the league, it was almost a perfect afternoon for Cowley, who felt his side’s positive start to the tie was key to their victory.

“It was a really good kick-off, which we always say is our most important restart,” he said.

“Rheady and Greeny, in the first 25 minutes, were a real handful and, as a consequence, we were able to dominate territory and get a really strong grip on the game.

“I was really pleased with how we finished the game as well.

“I was delighted for John. He’s done everything but score recently so it was nice for him to get the goal he deserved.

“We’re lucky to have four really good forwards at the club and they all did a good job.”

The Imps made a dream start as Andrade’s tantalising cross was touched home at the back post by Rhead.

The Cumbrians almost levelled with their first attack of the game as Regan Slater rattled a post with an angled drive.

United did have chances to level, with Imps keeper Josh Vickers making several important saves.

But City’s second finally arrived four minutes from time when another wonderful cross from Andrade was slid home by top scorer Akinde, his seventh goal of the season.

Deflated Carlisle boss John Sheridan bemoaned the Imps’ early goal.

“It’s a downer straight away,” fumed Sheridan. “We told the players all week, we installed it in them. We knew what they were going to do.

“But from the first kick, they were on the front foot and we were on the back foot. It shouldn’t happen.

“We’ve got to work hard and pick ourselves up, the players more than anyone.”