Yeovil Town 3 Lincoln City 1

Last updated : 29 November 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Yeovil manager Gary Johnson praised his team's character after they overcame missing an early penalty and going a goal behind to defeat Lincoln 3-1 at Huish Park.

The Glovers' victory - sealed by two late goals - keeps them in touch with the Third Division leaders.

Johnson said: "It wasn't our best display by any means, but I had to be happy with the way the lads stuck at it. We knew that Lincoln favour the direct approach and that our defence would have a lot of work to do. I thought the back four was terrific and our goalkeeper Chris Weale made one or two good saves at vital times." Yeovil should have gone ahead with an 11th minute penalty. Gavin Williams put Kurt Jackson in and, although his first touch let him down, he was up-ended by keeper Alan Marriott as he went to retrieve the ball.

Marriott made amends with a brilliant penalty save. Lee Johnson fired high to his left but Marriott read the situation well and turned the kick onto the crossbar.

The second half was only five minutes old when Lincoln took the lead. Their forwards had always looked lively, keeping the Yeovil defence on their toes, and Gary Fletcher crossed from the left for Simon Yeo to tap in from close range.

It was a lead that lasted just four minutes. Colin Pluck moved up from the back to head in a left-wing corner at the far post and it sparked a full blooded Yeovil display.

Lincoln, however, were always dangerous on the break and might have taken the lead in the 78th minute when defender Adam Lockwood was confronted with two attackers but saved the day with a great tackle on Yeo.

Yeovil went ahead for the first time six minutes from the end when substitute Adam Stansfield stabbed in from close range and, in stoppage time, another of their subs, Jamie Gosling, rounded keeper Marriott just four minutes after coming on and planted the ball into an empty net.