Match ends, Oxford United 0, Lincoln City 1.
Oxford UtdOxford United0Lincoln CityLincoln City1
Lincoln City kept alive their League One play-off hopes with a crucial 1-0 victory over sixth-placed Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
Danny Mandroiu hit the winner from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half after Ruben Rodrigues fouled Ben House.
They held out despite having substitute Dylan Duffy sent off for a second yellow card seven minutes from the end.
It was a must-win game for the Imps after their home defeat by Wigan Athletic at the weekend and they started the better.
Paudie O'Connor forced goalkeeper Jamie Cumming into a save with a far-post header at a corner and Freddie Draper headed wide from close in.
The visitors suffered a blow when Reeco Hackett had to go off with an arm injury after what looked an innocuous challenge.
As the half wore on Oxford settled and keeper Lukas Jensen twice saved from Tyler Goodrham and Mark Harris also went close twice as the U's turned up the heat.
But City also looked dangerous and Draper squandered another good opportunity from eight yards.
The U's were caught cold at the start of the second half when they conceded the spot-kick, hammered home by Mandroiu to Cumming's left.
Cameron Brannagan added an extra dimension for United when he came off the bench and he cut in from the left to hammer a fierce drive that Jensen did well to save.
But Lincoln defended resolutely for a victory that keeps their season going.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Cumming
- 15Stevens
- 2Long
- 3Brown
- 22Leigh
- 6McEachranSubstituted forBodinat 70'minutes
- 30DaleSubstituted forBrowneat 70'minutesBooked at 73mins
- 20RodriguesBooked at 63minsSubstituted forMcGuaneat 87'minutesBooked at 89mins
- 19GoodrhamSubstituted forBrannaganat 59'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 23Murphy
- 9M Harris
Substitutes
- 4Thorniley
- 8Brannagan
- 10Bodin
- 11Browne
- 13Eastwood
- 14Smyth
- 18McGuane
Lincoln City
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Jensen
- 25MitchellBooked at 16mins
- 15O'ConnorBooked at 49mins
- 23Roughan
- 2SørensenSubstituted forEyomaat 90+2'minutes
- 6ErhahonBooked at 90mins
- 14MândroiuBooked at 79mins
- 7Hackett-FairchildSubstituted forDuffyat 8'minutesBooked at 83mins
- 18HouseBooked at 90mins
- 9TaylorBooked at 74minsSubstituted forMakamaat 76'minutes
- 34DraperSubstituted forMoylanat 76'minutesSubstituted forJacksonat 90+2'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Jackson
- 12Wright
- 16Burroughs
- 17Duffy
- 22Eyoma
- 27Makama
- 28Moylan
- Referee:
- Lee Swabey
- Attendance:
- 9,587
Match Stats
Home TeamOxford UtdAway TeamLincoln City
- Possession
- Home66%
- Away34%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oxford United 0, Lincoln City 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Billy Bodin (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner from a direct free kick.
Booking
Ethan Erhahon (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Marcus Browne (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ethan Erhahon (Lincoln City).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Booking
Ben House (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Delay in match (Oxford United).
Booking
Cameron Brannagan (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Paudie O'Connor (Lincoln City).
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Timothy Eyoma replaces Lasse Sørensen.
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Adam Jackson replaces Jack Moylan.
Post update
Attempt missed. Marcus Browne (Oxford United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Seán Roughan.
Booking
Marcus McGuane (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Marcus McGuane (Oxford United).
Post update
Jovon Makama (Lincoln City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Finley Stevens (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Comments
Join the conversation
Hey Posh this is how you play at Oxford not just lie down and have your tummy tickled.
That’s the U’s way in after they beat Stevenage on Friday
Mind you, can’t see Lincoln beating Pompey on last day either
8 yellows for the winners, 4 for losers, must be worn out,
and something of a record...
The Mighty Imps crush your hopes.
Lincoln and Blackpool will both do well to win weekend. Oxford are very hot Favourites to reach play offs despite this set back to a very decent side.