Lincoln City dinted Huddersfield Town’s Sky Bet League One play-off hopes with a tight win by a goal to nil.
The Imps struck in the first-half, with Reeco Hackett tapping the ball home at the back past following a neat flick on of a Tom Bayliss corner from Adam Jackson.
Huddersfield, under the interim charge of club legend Jon Worthington, were lacklustre in the final third. Their attacks broke down repeatedly, with star striker Joe Taylor a passer-by for much of his return to Lincolnshire.
Huddersfield Town inconsistency continues:
Something that was discussed on the latest episode of the League One Lowdown podcast was the inconsistency of Huddersfield Town.
Since Worthington took interim charge of the Terries, they battered Crawley Town and were demolished by Charlton Athletic. It has been one step forward and one step back.
That theme continued, as Town struggled to create much in the way of key chances and Lincoln City took one of the few big opportunities they had.
Joe Taylor isolated up front:
Ex-Imps loanee Taylor is one of those players that has you leaning in and craning you neck to get a closer look when he is on the ball.
For Lincoln last season he was a revelation, scoring goal after goal. Most came from darting runs through the channels.
That is something he was presumably stopped from doing as a lot of Huddersfield’s play instead came down the flanks. That left the former Luton Town youngster isolated, not able to have an impact with the ball often floating over his head from one side to the other.
Lincoln City clinical… for a change:
One of Lincoln City’s issues this season has been their lack of a clinical edge in front of goal. They have been marmite in the forward areas, usually either scoring a hat full or drawing a blank.
Since putting five past Bristol Rovers, Michael Skubala’s side failed to register a goal in two consecutive games: at home to Exeter City and on the road at Wycombe Wanderers.
However, against Huddersfield Town, Hackett took one of the Imps’ only chances in the game and tapped the ball home from a slick corner routine.
Lincoln City were determined during the 90 minutes, and had their backs to the walls to see out the three points in stoppage time. Skubala’s men claimed a hard-fought victory, one that they probably deserved.
Disgruntlement in the away end:
They were boos at half-time and full-time from the 962 travelling fans, and even when the Town players walked towards the Stacey West Stand to applaud the supporters after the game.
Huddersfield Town have struggled to push as high up the table as they would have hoped this term, sitting outside off the top six with Michael Duff sacked a few weeks ago.
The away supporters were showing their unhappiness as the Terries slipped further away from the play-off spots with the end of the season drawing ever nearer.