Lincoln City 0 City 0
Grecians play out goalless draw in first leg of League Two play-offs! Exeter City held Lincoln City to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs at Sincil Bank.
Despite both sides enjoying a number of chances in Lincoln, neither were able to find an advantage to take into the second leg.
Matt Rhead arguably came closest to finding the game's only goal when he struck the crossbar in the second half and City created some good chances with the likes of Jayden Stockley and Jake Taylor seeing attempts saved more than once.
City made four changes to the side that saw out the Sky Bet League Two regular season in a 1-0 win over Colchester United last weekend as Stockley, Taylor, Lloyd James and Jordan Storey all came into the side against Danny Cowley’s Imps.
Despite City dominating the opening five minutes in terms of possession, it was the hosts who would have the first real attempt on goal when a long free-kick was nodded into the path of Matt Green, but his shot was collected low by Christy Pym.
City had to wait until the 19th minute to create their first opportunity at goal when Ryan Harley did brilliantly well to ride a challenge in midfield and drive at the Lincoln defence. The midfielder turned well to get a shot away but for Ryan Allsop who saved smartly down to his left.
Just after the half hour mark Lincoln went close through Neal Eardley’s low free-kick which was saved well by Pym. The City keeper then got a Grecians attack going as he set Taylor away down the right, and after some good interplay James’ cross to the far post was met by Stockley, but the City top scorer was unable to connect cleanly under Lincoln pressure.
As half-time drew closer a Pierce Sweeney throw-in then caused havoc in the Lincoln box with Dean Moxey and Sweeney himself both having efforts ricochet around the area. That preceded two excellent chances for Stockley when he got on the end of an inviting Hiram Boateng cross, but miscued as his effort edged wide.
The City striker then latched onto a ball over the top, and after controlling well under pressure from the onrushing Lincoln defence, he shot over from a tight angle as the sides went in level at the break.
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