MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 2-2 Lincoln City

SWINDON TOWN managed to come from two goals down against Lincoln City to draw 2-2 at the County Ground in a match full of excitement, ill-discipline and frustration. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report.

First-half goals from Jason Shackell and Shay McCarten looked set to have given Lincoln City their sixteenth win of the season before a Michael Doughty brace ensured Swindon avoided defeat.

A fast-paced start saw both sides create clear-cut chances within the games opening ten minutes as either team sought to take an early lead. 

Jason Shackell should’ve tested Vigouroux in the 6th minute after rising highest in the Town area following the first corner of the match but could only put his effort wide. 

Whilst immediately down the other end Keshi Anderson’s attempted bicycle kick within Lincoln’s penalty area was parried away by Imps keeper Josh Vickers. 

The match continued as it kicked off with both Swindon and Lincoln wrestling to take control of the game. Playing in a new-look 4-4-2 formation, Swindon looked solid in every area of the pitch as a high-press from the Robins limited the away sides chances. 

Swindon looking the most likely side to score passed the ball around nicely to unlock a Lincoln defence that has conceded only 24 goals all season. 

Kaiyne Woolery using his pace to get in behind was hacked down by Shackell in the 23rd minute as the defender was shown yellow for his rash challenge. The resulting free-kick saw Taylor cut the ball back to Jack McCourt on the edge of the box as his deflected shot went behind for a corner. 

With the minutes ticking on in the first half, Swindon increased the tempo as Lincoln struggled to make an impact. 

James Dunne’s half-volley from the edge of the visitor's box in the 30th minute looked set to give Town the lead only for Vickers to produce an outstanding diving save to keep the match level.

Frustrated by Swindon’s dominance, Lincoln began to commit fouls in every area of the pitch and it wasn’t long before a red card was shown. After breaking away down the right wing, Bruno Andrade stamped down the calf of Knoyle and was sent for an early bath. 

With Lincoln, a man down, Swindon piled on the pressure but it was the visitors who would take a surprising lead. A set-piece cross from the left-wing saw the ball fall to Shackell on the edge of Town’s box as the defenders shot rebounded of Taylor and sneaked in at Vigouroux’s near post. 

A goal against the run of play prompted an immediate reaction from Swindon but Lincoln appeared more determined than ever to keep hold of their advantage. Down to ten men often makes a team harder to break down, but instead of defending Lincoln continued to go on the attack.
Harry Anderson skipped through Swindon’s defence in the 43rd minute to fire a shot on goal straight at Vigouroux before Shay McCartan volleyed home a wonderful effort that will undoubtedly be a contender for goal of the season. 

A ball over the top into Swindon’s box was acrobatically cleared by Conroy only for the arriving McCartan to fire a 30-yard volley straight past Vigouroux.

The half-time whistle blew moments later and Lincoln would head in two goals up and undeservedly in front. 

Play resumed and Swindon had a goal back almost immediately. Working his way into the Imps penalty area, Anderson was brought down by Frecklington and the referee instantly pointed to the spot. 

Substitute Michael Doughty stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and score his seventh goal of the season to give Swindon a lifeline. 

If the penalty didn’t create enough drama on the pitch, what happened next certainly did. As the players walked back to the centre circle to resume play, Lincoln goal scorer Jason Shackell couldn’t help himself but say something to referee and was subsequently sent off for dissent to reduce Lincoln to just nine men. 

Madness within the second half’s opening minutes put Swindon in the driving seat as the Robins kicked the comeback into life. 

Having had two men sent off, Lincoln went narrow in their defence as manager Danny Cowley instructed all of his players to get behind the ball. 

Swindon came forward wave after wave in attack but they failed to find the golden touch to get themselves level. 

Anderson’s rifled shot from 25 yards deflected out for a corner in the 70th minute as McCourt’s curled effort a minute later went the wrong side of Vickers post. 

With the home crowd urging them on inside the County Ground, Swindon continues to push men up the pitch searching for a second goal. Multiple balls into the Lincoln box were met by multiple headed clearances, but Swindon didn’t give up and finally got their much-deserved goal in the 88th minute. 

Another cross into the box was headed only as far as the lurking Doughty on the edge of the area as the midfielder took a step and placed his shot inside the post of Vickers to score his second of the game and equalise for the hosts. 

Sending the crowd into raptures, Swindon had the full voice of the County Ground behind them as Wellens urged his men upfield seeking to complete an astonishing comeback. 

Jak McCourt looked to have found the winning goal with a low driven shot in added time only for it to be cleared off the line. Town persisted with their efforts to pen the Imps back into their own box but it was unfortunately too little too late from the home side as League leaders Lincoln held on with nine men to leave Wiltshire with a hard-fought point.