Match Report : 05/04/2014

Kris Bright returned from suspension and skipper Alan Power was back in the starting line-up for this Skrill Premier game against Dartford at Gelder Group Sincil Bank Stadium. Danny Rowe and the injured Todd Jordan were the men missing out.

Dartford kicked off attacking the Stacey West Stand and it was a pretty scrappy opening to the game with neither goalkeeper tested at all during the first nine minutes.

When the first effort at goal came along, City had 'keeper Nick Townsend to thank as he pulled off a superb reflex save to deny Jim Stevenson who saw the ball land at his feet 12 yards out after the Imps failed to deal with a cross from the Dartford left.

City's response saw Jake Sheridan win a corner but Sean Newton's delivery failed to trouble the visiting defence whilst at the other end Townsend held a dipping Mikel Suarez header under his crossbar.

A knock to Sheridan brought about a break in play on the 20 minute mark and when he got back to his feet Ben Swallow replaced Elliot Bradbrook for Dartford.

Physio Kev Oxby was called into action again on the half-hour when Charlee Adams pulled up injured but like Sheridan earlier he was able to resume his duties before Suarez won a corner for Dartford. This led to another flag-kick on the opposite side and when this was only half-cleared a cross was nodded back across the box but Stevenson headed over.

Two more Dartford corners quickly followed as the visitors continued to look the more threatening going forward but City stood firm before the half ended after three additional minutes.

HT: IMPS 0 DARTFORD 0

Both sides emerged unchanged for the start of the second half and the Imps were the first to press with Luke Foster fires over at full stretch following Newton free-kick into box.

At the other end Foster got in a timely block to deny Danny Harris and as the Imps broke forward in response, Sheridan was crudely taken out by Max Cornhill who picked up a deserved yellow card. Newton's free-kick clipped the wall with the ball flying behind for a corner.

A couple of minutes later Newton curled another free-kick inches wide before the onrushing Miller connected with a Power cross only for Julian to palm away his header.

City's first change came in the 67th minute with Koby Arthur replacing Nolan whilst five minutes later Conner Robinson came on for Sheridan before a Newton free-kick led to a corner.

Robinson was quickly in the action as he was denied a shot on target following good work by Arthur and Miller on the right. Nathan Collier then came on for Danny Harris for the visitors as the game approached its final 10 minutes.

City's next attack saw Arthur jink his way forward before setting up Power who drilled wide. Mendy then glanced a header from an Arthur cross over the bar before Julian denied Power with a save at full stretch.

Becka-Ka Dembele for Alex Woodyard was Dartford's final switch with four minutes on the clock before the game petered out to a second successive goalless draw after three additional minutes.

FT: IMPS 0 DARTFORD 0