The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Raggett sends Imps into dreamland as they shock Burnley

- By Phil Medlicott sport@sundaypost.com

LINCOLN pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all time as Sean Raggett’s late goal secured the National League leaders victory at Premier League Burnley and a place in the quarter- finals for the first time in their history.

Raggett scored the dramatic winner with an 89th-minute header that Clarets goalkeeper Tom Heaton could only push away once it had crossed the line, sending the travelling 3000 Imps fans into delirium.

The deser ved tr iumph sees Lincoln become the first non-league club to reach the quarter- finals since it adopted its current structure in 1925, with QPR, in 1914, having been the last to get to that stage of the competitio­n.

Lincoln’s run to this round – featuring victories over Championsh­ip sides Ipswich and Brighton – had been remarkable as it was.

But this really was something special from Danny Cowley’s men, not just in that they beat a top-flight side away, but particular­ly given it was Burnley, who had won seven of their previous eight home matches in all competitio­ns.

A feisty encounter saw the visitors approach the task in superb fashion, as they kept their opponents – for whom Andre Gray wasted a decent chance and Joey Barton might have been sent off – at bay before delivering the sucker punch at the end.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche had stressed the importance of not taking anything for granted about the meeting with men from Sincil Bank, and while his starting line-up featured six changes it was strong, with the likes of Gray, Barton, Michael Keane and Heaton having been retained.

Lincoln, whose first XI showed only two adjustment­s, made a positive start as they claimed the ball in midfield in the fifth minute from a Heaton kick and the subsequent burst forward saw Nathan Arnold tee up a chance for Jack Muldoon, who shot over the bar.

They then showed a combative edge as Alan Power was booked for a rash challenge on Johann Berg Gudmundsso­n that led to the Icelander having to come off for George Boyd.

Sam Vokes fired Burnley’s first real attempt on goal over and then sent a header off-target, with Gray hitting a low strike straight at Imps goalkeeper Paul Farman.

The hosts were starting to impose themselves, but Lincoln were still able to exert pressure of their own, with Keane and Jon Flanagan making important interventi­ons in the home box.

As the first half came to an end, Barton’s volley from the edge of the box was caught by Farman and Scott Arfield lashed over from a similar range.

Seven minutes after the break, Gray passed up a decent opportunit­y as he got on the end of a freekick but skewed his shot wide.

Tempers then flared as Barton and Matt Rhead, who the atmosphere between had been building all game, were involved in an incident that prompted referee Graham Scott to call both over for a word.

Rhead claimed he had been stamped on by Barton, who had dramatical­ly gone to ground holding his head, and TV footage of the incident showed the Clarets midfielder falling to the ground with barely a touch from the City striker.

No cards were produced, but moments later Barton was booked after another flashpoint.

After Boyd brought down Alex Woodyard on the edge of the area, Terry Hawkridge arrived on the scene and took a hand in the face from Barton before being shoved over by Flanagan.

Graham deemed Barton to be deserving of a yellow card, while Flanagan escaped any action.

Lincoln were indebted to Farman in the 80th minute as Gray scuffed another shot, the ball moved to Ashley Westwood and his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

And they then left Turf Moor stunned in the dying moments as Luke Waterfall’s header, from Sab Habergham’s corner to the back post was met by Raggett, who nodded in from close range, despite the best efforts of Heaton.

City then had to weather six minutes of injury- time and Gray had a chance to claim an equaliser as he burst into the area, but Farman was off his line in a flash and saved the effort to ensure the Imps were not to be denied.

 ??  ?? ■Tom Heaton fails to keep out Sean Raggett’s last-minute header.
■Tom Heaton fails to keep out Sean Raggett’s last-minute header.

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