A solitary goal from second half substitute Billy Knott was enough to secure victory and keep Lincoln at the summit of the Vanarama National League.

However for Bromley despite their valiant efforts it was another defeat that has them peering nervously over their shoulders at the bottom four.

Having lost six of their previous eight games and failed to score in six of those games. Goal-shy Bromley were always going to have their work cut out against the league leaders but they gave a very good account of themselves ensuring that Lincoln had to work exceptionally hard to claim the three points.

Lincoln missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half when Alan Power had his penalty saved by Ross Flitney. Good interchange between Matt Rhead and Nathan Arnold led to the latter freeing Lee Angol in the penalty area only for him to be impeded by Lee Minshull. Flitney was to prove equal to Power’s penalty to maintain scoreline parity.

That was to be as good as it got for Lincoln in the first half as Bromley shaded the remaining 15 minutes of the first half.  Firstly Paul Farman saved Jack Holland’s header from Blair Turgott’s corner. Bromley went much closer two minutes before half time, a clever free kick from Joe Anderson found Turgott unmarked 20 yards from goal but his first time effort cannoned off the woodwork.

Well in the game at half time the match continued in much the same vein in the second half with Bromley continuing to frustrate their hosts with their compact shape. Bromley were comfortable conceding possession to Lincoln but the hosts found it repeatedly difficult to get behind the ravens backline.

The few half chances that came early in the second half were spurned by Bromley. In the 52th minute Turgott, Shane Mcloughlin and George Porter combined well down the left wing before Mcloughin had his effort from Porter’s cross deflected wide.

Porter nearly capitalised on a loose back pass nine minutes later but despite reaching the ball before Farman he couldn’t poke his effort goalwards with enough power.

Befitting their lofty league position Lincoln were to punish Bromley with their only other genuine opportunity of the match. That said Bromley were to be architects of their own downfall. A loose pass from Tobi Sho-Silva was pounced on by Angol who was able to feed Knott who expertly finished beyond Flitney from just inside the penalty area.

With the one goal advantage Lincoln were able to see out the remainder of the game with minimum fuss thus solidifying their place in pole position with eight games to go.

For Bromley, questions must be asked as to the horrendous run of form in 2017 but Neil Smith can take heart from a performance where Bromley more than matched the league leaders. That said with no forward player currently able to find the back of net regularly there will be some anxiety as to when and if Bromley can get the last win they need to guarantee National league survival this season. With in-form York up next on Tuesday night it may mean that we are still asking that question come next Saturday when Bromley host Wrexham at Hayes Lane.

 

Lincoln City: Farman, Habergham, Waterfall, Power (Knott 64), Rhead (Whitehouse 82), Long, Raggett, Anderson (Ginnelly 64), Arnold, Woodyard, Angol

Subs not used: Wood, Marriott

Goals:  Knott 65

 

Bromley:  Flitney, Dunne, Holland, Chorley (Johnson 29), Anderson, Sho-Silva, Higgs, Minshull, Turgott (Goldberg 79), Mcloughlin (Dennis 74), Porter
Subs not used: Hall, Dymond

 

Attendance: 6,843 (Bromley 80)

Referee: Mr Andrew Miller