The Imps will be looking to equal a Lincoln City EFL record this weekend, as they aim to make it 18 games unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two against second-placed MK Dons.
Lincoln go into this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash following a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield Town last time out.
The Imps had to come from behind to pick up a point in front of 9,567 fans at Sincil Bank.
Scott Wilson gave the visiting side the lead just before the half an hour mark to score his 11thgoal of the season.
However, just 10 minutes later experienced right back Neal Eardley pulled the score back to 1-1 with a trademark free kick just outside the area.
The former Wales international previously scored an impressive free-kick for the Imps in a 2-1 win against Cambridge at the end of 2018.
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Currently Lincoln’s closest rival for the top spot, MK Dons have won 21 games this season putting them eight points behind the Imps on 72 points.
The Dons have lost just one game in their previous six with a 4-2 defeat to Morecambe at the start of March.
Kieran Agard scored a brace in the space of six minutes for MK however, this was not enough to pick up any points for the visiting side.
Paul Tisdale’s side also failed to win when they faced Stevenage last month, only picking up a point thanks to Chuks Aneke’s 83rdminute goal.
MK Dons beat Forest Green Rovers 2-1 away from home in their last game.
Agard gave the Dons the lead after 38 minutes however, Rovers’ George Williams equalised in the 63rdminute.
Former Norwich defender Russell Martin was the hero on the day scoring the winner three minutes from full time with a scrappy finish at the back post.
Last six league games:WWLDWW
League position: 2nd
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Joe Walsh believes every match between now and the end of the season must be treated as a ‘big game’, not just this weekend’s top-of-the-table encounter with Lincoln City at Stadium MK.
The former Wales U21, discussed the importance of Saturday’s clash as both sides enter the business end of the season: “I think we’ve got to go into every game until the end of the season wanting to win and viewing it as a big game.”
“Every game between now and the end of the season will be tough. Teams are fighting for promotion and others are trying to stay in the division so they’ll be fighting for their lives. Every game is a tough game so we need to make sure we are on our a-game every week.”
The 26-year-old went on to speak about his side’s impressive defensive record this season.
“We work really hard in training on our defensive shape so to see it come to fruition on the pitch is pleasing,” said Walsh.
“We’ve had to chop and change our defence a number of times this season because we’ve had a lot of injuries but Tis puts us through a lot of different formations to make sure we are ready for everything.
“Hopefully we can keep a few more clean sheets between now and the end of the season.”
Previous Meetings
The Imps faced MK Dons for the first time in 10 years when they hosted Paul Tisdale’s side in September 2018.
Despite the Imps going 1-0 down to Rhys Healey’s 64thminute goal, Lincoln came out on top winning 2-1 thanks to Jason Shackell’s 94thminute header.
Shay McCartan was also on the scoresheet for City scoring the equaliser in the 72ndminute.
In January 2007, the pair drew 2-2 when City travelled to the National Hockey Stadium in League Two action.
Izale McLeod gave MK the lead after six minutes leaving the score at 1-0 going into half time.
The Imps came out a different side in the second 45 with Jamie Forrester giving City a lifeline from the penalty spot in the 51stminute.
Montserrat international, Spencer Weir-Daley looked like he had scored the winner for Lincoln in the 84thminute but Gareth Edds had other ideas scoring a 90thminute equaliser for the Dons.
One to Watch – Kieran Agard
Currently SkyBet League Two’s second highest top scorer behind Tranmere’s James Norwood, Kieran Agard is the one to watch for MK Dons this weekend.
The 29-year-old came through the Arsenal youth ranks before joining Everton in 2005, where he turned professional in 2008.
Agard experienced two loan spells away from Goodison Park with Peterborough United and Kilmarnock in 2011.
The forward signed a one-year-deal with Yeovil Town in June 2011 following his release from Everton. Agard scored six goals in 29 appearances for the Glovers.
In 2012, the 29-year-old signed for Rotherham United where he experienced two consecutive promotions to the Football League Championship.
The former Everton youngster was on the move again in 2014 when he joined League One side Bristol City for an undisclosed fee. He won the 2015 League One title as well as the Football League Trophy during his time at Ashton Gate.
MK Dons paid an undisclosed club-record transfer fee for Agard in August 2016. He scored a brace on his debut in a 2-2 draw against Millwall.
This season the frontman has scored 21 goals in all competitions with 19 of them coming in the league.