Lincoln United manager Steve Housham said his side were “lucky” to draw against Market Drayton Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Whites opened the scoring at Ashby Avenue in the 35th minute through a Ryan Flitton goal, but the visitors came out stronger in the second half, with Conor Hughes heading home for Town.
On a cold and chilly afternoon at Ashby Avenue, Lincoln United had geared up to take on fellow division strugglers Market Drayton Town.
Before the game started both sides joined in a minute’s applause in the memory of Jordan Sinnott, who had represented United during their pre-season fixtures.
Lincoln United got the game underway but it was Market Drayton who enjoyed the majority of the early possession, winning an early corner which was comfortably dealt with by the Whites’ defence. Town persisted to test the stability of the home side’s defence, but this came to no avail.
In the 7th minute of the game United had to thank young goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks, who is on loan from Notts County, as he made a good save from James Tindall-Bennett as his weaving run gave him a good sight at goal.
Minutes later however, it was on the other foot as Market Drayton didn’t deal with another aerial ball from Jamie Goddard put Kallum Smith one on one with the keeper, but his shot was saved by Sam Agius.
Drayton continued to test Brooks from here on, having multiple chances which the young keeper dealt with well, stopping the visitors from breaking the deadlock.
Instead it was the Whites that opened the scoring, as in the 35th minute United defender Ryan Flitton headed home at the back stick after a whipped delivery by Johnathan Williams, giving Steve Housham’s side the advantage. And they held on to their lead going into the break.
Market Drayton started play for the second half and wasted no time in getting an early opportunity, as in the 53rd minute, Whites midfielder Williams slipped while trying to switch the play which allowed Town striker Josh Thomas to run through on goal. Williams had his blushes spared however after Thomas saw his shot saved comfortably by Brooks.
Brooks could not keep the visitors out forever though as just 9 minutes later Market Drayton got the goal they were looking for. It was an almost replica of the goal United had scored earlier in the game, as Connor Hughes headed home at the back post from a cross.
In the 71st minute the visitors came close again as substitute Christoph Aziamale, who had just been introduced to the game, headed against the bar almost giving the visitors the lead.
Despite an end to end finish, the Whites were able to hold on for the point, but manager Steve Housham said the performance “could have been better”.
Housham said: “”The best team was Market Drayton today. I said to the players after the game you have to keep the standards up.
“We didn’t deserve anything today, we were lucky to come away with a point.”
The draw means that United are 15th in the league, eight points above Newcastle Town in 18th but with a game in hand.