HOT AS ELL!

Donny shot-stopper saves two penalties

Doncaster’s Ellery Balcombe (centre) celebrates with team-mates while Lincoln’s Anthony Scully (inset) reacts to a penalty save

MICHAEL APPLETON felt Lincoln put in their best performance since he arrived at the club despite losing to promotion rivals Doncaster.

The Imps failed to convert two penalties as they were beaten at home by Rovers, and they lost top spot to Hull as a result.

Taylor Richards gave Rovers the lead with a long-range effort in the 15th minute.

City then dominated the contest, creating numerous chances and seeing man-of-thematch Ellery Balcombe save second-half penalties from Jorge

Grant and substitute Anthony Scully. It was not to be the hosts’ day as Rovers held on to move within three points of Appleton’s side. “I just hope we get all our frustrations out in one game,” reflected Appleton.

“It was arguably the best performance since I’ve been here. It had everything. I thought we were outstanding with the ball, we were good out of possession.

“We gave away a bit of a scruffy goal from our point of view, but in terms of asking questions of the opposition, asking their keeper to make saves, making their defenders put their bodies on the line, I can’t ask for any more.

It had everything. And that’s against a side who normally like to dominate the ball and are probably the better side in their games most weeks.

“We made them look pretty ordinary but ultimately we haven’t won the game.

“Performances don’t always win you games but, from a long-term point of view, if we’re 70 to 80 per cent what we were today, we’ll win a lot more games between now and the end of the season.”

Rovers boss Darren Moore said: “Take nothing away from Lincoln, they played really, really well.

“But the thing we got right was defending our 18-yard box. Everyone did their jobs and it’s a great three points.”