Lincoln City 2-0 Sunderland
Sunderland suffered their second defeat of the season on Saturday, as Lincoln City clinched a 2-0 win at Sincil Bank.
The Imps struck early on through Tyler Walker, who managed to beat Jon McLaughlin to a low cross and steer the ball into the net.
Conor McLaughlin headed a key opportunity wide from close range after the break, before Lincoln failed to double their lead when Walker missed from the penalty spot.
The striker made no mistake five minutes later, though, as a well-taken finish converted Bruno Andrade’s cross to secure the points before the hour mark.
Jack Ross selected an unchanged side at Sincil Bank, as the starting XI that secured a 2-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons last time out lined up against the Imps.
Jordan Willis, who captained the Lads, and Joel Lynch resumed their blossoming partnership at the back, while Charlie Wyke was backed up by Luke O’Nien, Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch.
After returning to training, Aiden McGeady and Marc McNulty were named on the bench.
The first 15 minutes saw both sides enjoy time on the ball, but a cautious start in each of the final thirds saw clear-cut chances few and far between.
However, the opener was just around the corner.
With 17 minutes on the clock, a hopeful ball into the Sunderland box ended up in the back of the net, as Walker beat McLaughlin to the punch and poked it home.
Jason Shackell and Jack Payne passed up chances in the stages that followed, before Josh Vickers diverted a venomous strike from Laurens De Bock away from the top corner and wide of the post.
Sunderland spurned a glorious opening to level following the restart, as McLaughlin headed wide from close range.
And disaster struck moments later, as Lincoln broke, Andrade was fouled by De Bock and the referee pointed to the spot.
Luck was on the Lads’ side, though, and Walker’s penalty crashed against the inside of the post before flying to safety.
A double change followed as Ross demanded more in the final third, with McGeady and McNulty entering the action with time on their side.
Just like clockwork, a goal arrived shortly after, but the damage was done at the other end, as Andrade’s early cross was pounced on by Walker.
Sunderland toiled to find a route back in the game, but Lincoln held firm to ensure they claimed three points.
Sunderland: McLaughlin, Willis, Lynch, C McLaughlin, De Bock (Grigg 65), McGeouch, Power, O’Nien, Gooch (McGeady 53), Maguire (McNulty 54), Wyke
Subs not used: Burge, Flanagan, Dobson, Leadbitter.
Lincoln City: Vickers, Eardly, Bolger, Shackell, Toffolo, O’Connor (Connolly 76), Morrell, Andrade (Hesketh 82), Payne, Grant, Walker.
Subs not used: Chapman, Smith, Melbourne, Anderson, Akinde.