Imps are still rising thanks to Waterfall

LINCOLN manager Danny Cowley heaped praise on his players after watching Lincoln put back-to-back defeats behind them by beating Port Vale.

Second-half goals from Michael Bostwick and captain Luke Waterfall sealed the points for the Imps, after Vale’s Danny Pugh had cancelled out Matt Green’s opener on the stroke of half time.

“It’s been a long, tough week, probably the longest in my managerial career,” explained Cowley afterwards.

“I’m proud of the players’ response to two defeats. They showed real character and substance in the way they played today.

“It was a really uncomfortable week for them and you learn a lot about people in such times of adversity, and I was really pleased with what I learnt.”

Matt Green put the Imps ahead on ten minutes heading home Harry Anderson’s cross for his first goal since August.

“It was an important goal at an important time for Matt Green – I was so pleased for him because I know how emotional and painful this period has been for him,” added Cowley.

As Lincoln pushed for a second just before half time, a poor Josh Ginnelly corner was cleared to Dave Worrall on the Vale right, who crossed for Tom Pope. Pope headed into the path of Danny Pugh and he volleyed past Josh Vickers to equalise.

The Imps regained the lead in style seven minutes after the break when Michael Bostwick smashed home a halfvolley from 25 yards after reacting first to a Vale clearance.

Recalled Luke Waterfall sealed the win for the hosts 20 minutes from time by heading home from close range after a Neal Eardley cross had caused panic in the area.

Matt Rhead almost added a fourth in the 81st minute but saw his header cleared off the line by Pope.

Vale manager Neil Aspin felt his side simply weren’t good enough.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, but we were nowhere near good enough,” he said.

“We were very poor and I’m not going to say anything different because lots of things disappointed me.

“You need to battle and scrap and get your foot on the ball to show some composure, but we didn’t do any of that.”

“Having said that though, Lincoln’s first goal was a blatant push – in fact it was probably the most stonewall foul of the game.

“How the referee missed that is beyond me.”