Anderson toasted as Imps sink Brewers

LINCOLN recorded their first away victory under

Michael Appleton’s tutelage, with the Imps boss delighted to also end a six-game winless League run.

Harry Anderson netted inside the first two minutes from a well-rehearsed corner routine for City, before sub Tyler Walker sealed the points late on.

“It is always helpful if you can get an early goal,” said Appleton. “If you can get your nose in front early on that is key and you have got something to keep hold of.

“We played against a good side who, in the first half, put us under pressure.

“In the second half we had to defend desperately at times, but the way we counter attacked was impressive.”

Anderson’s goal set the tone for the afternoon, but Appleton was delighted with the all-round display of the 22-year-old midfielder.

“I thought he was outstanding and it was a very mature performance,” he said.

Anderson timed his run to perfection to evade his marker and glance home Jorge Grant’s cross at the near post to put City ahead. Burton, though, had Lincoln pinned back in their own half for long spells of the first half, but could not find a way through.

Scott Fraser, Liam Boyce and Lucas Akins all failed to hit the target, before Boyce forced Josh Vickers into a good save.

Lincoln almost doubled their lead when John Akinde rattled a post and Grant could not beat Kieran O’Hara with the follow-up.

Albion had shouts for a penalty when Fraser looked to have been clipped as he prepared to shoot, before Walker wrapped up a solid victory in stoppage time firing in after more good work from Anderson.

Brewers boss Nigel Clough could not fault the effort of his players, but bemoaned giving an early goal away and having to chase the game.

“Once you give a team a goal after two minutes that decides the game,” Clough said. “We couldn’t afford to do that.

“One thing I am not disappointed about is the effort of the players, which I thought was incredible on the back of what we have had in the last two weeks.

“We didn’t have somebody with that bit of skill to unlock their defence.”