Appleton’s left baffled by Brooke ‘head-butt’

VICTORIOUS boss Michael Appleton has admitted he was left perplexed as to why one of his Lincoln players saw red during his side’s vital success.

On the day the Imps secured their 5,000th point in the Football League, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Brooke Norton-Cuffy was shown a red card in the 66th minute for an off-the-ball clash with Lee Brown.

Referee Carl Brook confirmed it was for a headbutt – which left Appleton confused.

He said: “We’ve been told the red was for a headbutt, but I certainly didn’t see a headbutt from where I was standing.

“Yes, there was a push just in the run-up, but at this moment, we’ll take a look later on, and if we think there is a case for Brooke, maybe we’ll challenge it.

“It was a strange game in a lot of ways.

“It wasn’t the best performance from the lads by any means, but it’s the result that stands out.

“We do have to win games ugly sometimes, we don’t do that enough.

“The lads have stood strong, and that’s been great.”

Lincoln went ahead seven minutes before the break when the impressive Lewis Fiorini found space on the edge of the box before curling his shot home sweetly.

John Marquis also saw a header saved by Nik Tzanev as the visitors looked in control in the run-up to half-time.

Tzanev was called upon again after the restart, and he did well to keep out Tom Hopper’s header.

The Dons replied with Ayoub Assal and Zach Robinson threatening a leveller before Lincoln were reduced to 10 men.

Sub Teddy Bishop tapped home Lincoln’s second in the 84th minute after Marquis charged down Tzanev’s clearance. The result means Lincoln are 16th while the Dons are 20th, level on points with Gillingham, who are in the League One relegation zone.

Wimbledon’s beaten boss Mark Robinson said: “We created a few decent chances, but we’ve not been clinical enough in and around their box.

“I thought we’d matched them in the first half, and then they go and score just before half-time.

“We spoke at halftime about one or two things, but we just couldn’t find that finish.”