Lincoln City 4 Barnet 1

Last updated : 15 December 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Lincoln City grabbed their biggest win of the season to lift themselves further away from the bottom two positions.

City controlled the game after taking an early lead and, although Barnet staged a second-half fightback, the Red Imps easily made it three League wins out of four.

Lincoln got off to the best possible start going in front after nine minutes. Winger Dany N'Guessan held off the challenge of a defender before firing in a low cross. Barnet failed to clear and Ben Wright beat keeper Lee Harrison with a powerful shot.

Lincoln's Lee Frecklington almost doubled City's lead but was inches wide with a 20-yard left-foot shot.

Barnet should have levelled in the 28th minute when a defensive mix-up left Adam Birchall clear but his shot was blocked by the legs of Lincoln keeper Ben Smith.

Four minutes later Lincoln got a second goal from the penalty spot after Wright was pushed in the back by Ismail Yakubu. Jamie Forrester sent Harrison the wrong way with his spot-kick.

Barnet's defence fell apart in the 50th minute when Forrester set up Louis Dodds who coolly shot home from inside the box.

The Bees' problems increased six minutes later when Frecklington attempted to break clear but was cynically hacked down by Joe O'Cearuill.

The Barnet defender was shown a straight red card but the effect was to inspire the visitors. They quickly hit back with Birchall scoring from close range three minutes later.

Barnet then pushed forward and created a string of chances. Birchall shot wide from a good position and then saw a header superbly saved by Smith.

The Lincoln keeper then performed heroics to keep out efforts from Liam Hatch and Anthony Thomas.

But in stoppage time Lincoln scored a fourth goal when they hit Barnet on the counter-attack. Substitute Mark Stallard released Wright who ran clear before slotting home his second goal of the game.