Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala is fully aware of the challenges that topping the League One table presents.
The Imps extended their advantage over second-place Cardiff City to four points yesterday evening, following up their win in South Wales with a fifth successive victory at Exeter City.
And the Bluebirds failed to pick up three points for the third time in four matches at Barnsley in midweek, losing more ground in the third-tier title race.
Relentless
The heady heights of the League One summit have gone from a potential aspiration to a realistic ambition in the space of a week for Skubala’s side. Lincoln produced one of their best performances in recent memory to stun the former leaders in Saturday’s early kick-off. And while they didn’t hit those same standards yesterday, the outcome remained the same.
Tom Hamer scored the only goal at St James Park from a set-piece to extend Lincoln’s unbeaten run to 19 matches. And while the Imps missed opportunities early in the second period to put the game to bed, the Grecians did give their visitors some nervy moments as the clock ticked on. Ultimately, the Lincolnshire outfit saw out the result, as teams at the top of the division often do.
But sides raising their game is something that Skubala wants his players to be aware of in the coming weeks, as the prospect of promotion edges closer.
“When you are where we are in the league and are going well, teams want to beat us. I’ve told the lads that the reality now is that teams want to come and spoil your party, that’s what they start talking about.
“We have to see how we can keep improving because we have to, as teams around us will keep improving. It’s not done, we have to keep putting points on the board. “We want to make sure we are focused and we go again.”
Countdown Begins
Lincoln still aren’t over the line just yet, but they are showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Avoiding defeat against Stockport County on Saturday lunchtime will see City surpass their club record run for games unbeaten. The Hatters were seen to be their biggest challengers just a few short weeks ago, but three defeats in four mean they are a mammoth 21 points adrift of the new third-tier leaders.
But Dave Challinor’s outfit will pose a different challenge this weekend, having not yet played a league game this month. Stockport did put out a strong side in the EFL Trophy at the beginning of March to overcome Doncaster Rovers and reach Wembley, but should be well-rested ahead of their visit to Sincil Bank. However, the daunting task of facing a side that hasn’t lost a league game on their own soil since the start of October means that an away victory would send shockwaves through the division.