After a very poor opening ten minutes where we failed to deal with Lincoln's very good set plays and the aerial threat of Rhead, I thought we played the better football for the remainder of the game. We were certainly better in midfield where both Hughes and Maynard were imperious I thought. Whatever the criticism of their finishing, the movement of the front two was good and caused Lincoln problems, Mangan rounding the keeper but hitting the side-netting in the first half, Norwood, Mangan, Maynard (particularly) and Tollitt all having good opportunities in the eighteen yard box in the second. We played in a flat 4-4-2, probably to counter Lincoln's threat out wide and restrict crosses to Rhead, but this meant Tollitt was tightly marked and did not have the influence of previous games. After half time Lincoln did improve, with Rhead and Robinson linking up better up front and starting to carve out openings, but I still thought we played the better football and looked more creative in open play.
I disagree completely with Boz about the substitution of Kirby. To bring Wallace on at that stage would have been a negative move and MM clearly wanted to win the game: I will never criticise a manager for being bold and having confidence in his players. Kirby added something extra in the attacking third, and while the defeat was not solely down to missed chances, if we had taken one of the several opportunities we created in the second half the manager's decision would have been vindicated. At Gateshead and Wrexham Wallace was brought on after Rovers had taken the lead, not before. The defending was poor for both goals, but given how prolific Lincoln are it was unrealistic to think one goal would have been enough in this game.
In general, I thought Rovers looked the better footballing side and were very unfortunate to get nothing. You can see how Lincoln achieve success at this level, but their play is very direct, relying heavily on set-pieces, a number of which were 'won' today by Matt Rhead dropping to the floor like a sack of spuds. I know Cowley is the current flavour of the month, but his Lincoln side are quite cynical, (Cowley himself got into trouble with the ref for refusing to give the ball back to one of our players), as were Braintree in the away game last season, and he seemed quite cocksure of himself in recent interviews. I prefer Micky's more low key approach, and I certainly prefer the football his team plays.
Individually, I agree with Boz that both fullbacks were excellent, probably their best games for us this season, and would also choose Jeff Hughes as man of the match: superb once again.
Still a lot of football to be played and there was plenty in the performance to be encouraged about. We have lost the battle but can still win the war.