Bristol City's push for a play-off spot hit a stumbling block with a 1-0 home defeat to Lincoln City on Tuesday night. Freddie Draper's second-half strike proved decisive, extending City's winless run to two matches and leaving them 13th in the Championship table with 10 points from seven games.
Lincoln's clinical edge
The hosts made five changes to their starting line-up but struggled to find a cutting edge against a disciplined Lincoln side. The visitors, unbeaten in five, grew into the contest and created the better openings. Draper saw an early effort blocked by Sam Tickle, while Chieo Ogbene, making his first league start, flashed a header wide. Bristol City's best chance of the first half fell to Gibson Yah, who headed over from a set-piece.
The pattern continued after the break. Lincoln's pressing forced the error that led to the goal. Ogbene harried Rob Dickie into a misplaced pass back to his goalkeeper, which was intercepted by Ben House. House flicked the ball into the path of Draper, who fired home with a smart left-footed finish in the 53rd minute. It was the striker's second goal in as many games.
Skubala's response
Bristol City manager Michael Skubala responded by throwing on last season's League One top scorer, Dom Ballard, on the hour mark. The substitution almost paid immediate dividends as Ballard played through Yu Hirakawa, but the winger's effort was saved by George Wickens. Despite late pressure, City could not find an equaliser, with a long-range effort from Draper that flew over the bar serving as a reminder of the visitors' threat on the counter.
"Draper struck early in the second period and, just as at Preston North End on Saturday, it was the decisive moment in the fixture," the match report noted. The result means Bristol City have now lost their last two Championship matches, following a 4-1 defeat at Southampton, after starting the season with three consecutive wins.
With the loss, Bristol City's recent form reads LLWWW. They are now four points behind league leaders West Ham. Attention quickly turns to a key home game against Watford this Friday. Watford sit 17th, making it a prime opportunity for Skubala's side to halt their slide and climb the standings. The manager will be hoping for a sharper performance in front of goal to get their campaign back on track.
Background and full detail: weareimps.com
Lincoln City head coach Chris Cohen has addressed squad absences following his side's 1-0 win at Bristol City on September 15. Cohen said managing a large squad was the most difficult part of the job, confirming Mason Melia faces a longer spell out. He stressed the club would need every player over a 46-game season. Lincoln's victory was their third successive away win in the league.
