The Imps went back to the summit of Sky Bet League Two after an impressive 3-1 victory over the Shrimps at a chilly Sincil Bank.
Harry Anderson opened the account for Lincoln City in the seventh minute, before a John Akinde penalty and a Jason Shackell free-kick completed the scoring for the Imps.
Kevin Ellison scored a consolation goal for the visitors late on but it wasn’t enough to prevent Lincoln City taking all three points.
Before the game, news came through to Sincil Bank that MK Dons’ game away at Newport County had been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, allowing the Imps to overtake the Dons with a win.
Photo: Ollie Collins
Morecambe boss, Jim Bentley, is the longest serving manager in the football league, being appointed in May 2011. His side came in to Saturday’s game in 19th place in the league.
Lincoln City manager, Danny Cowley, made one change to last weeks’ starting line-up bringing in Shay McCartan for Bruno Andrade who picked up an ankle injury against Stevenage.
The Imps started brightly and took the lead in the seventh minute thanks to Anderson. A defence splitting pass from Tom Pett found Harry Toffolo who picked out the un-marked Anderson to tuck home from eight yards.
Akinde doubled the Imps lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Alex Kenyon fouled McCartan in the area and Akinde finished coolly from 12 yards. After the game he said: “I don’t get nervous in those situations I just back myself to score.”
The Imps scoring was completed in the 37th minute by defender Shackell. Much to everyone’s surprised the defender stepped up and smashed a powerful left-footed free-kick in to the top corner to make it 3-0 at the break.
The conditions were playing a part in the second half as the freezing rain continued to fall. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net in the 52nd minute as Smith fumbled a cross but referee, Sebastian Stockbridge, judged that Smith had been fouled.
The Shrimps got a goal back in the 80th minute through 39-year-old winger, Kevin Ellison, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Lincoln City taking all three points.
Despite going top of the league, Danny Cowley said: “We’re not interested in positions at this point we’re only interested in accumulating points. However, the attitude and application of the boys today shows we can go all the way this season.”
