Lincoln City secured promotion to the Championship with a 2-1 victory at Reading.
Ryan One nodded Reeco Hackett’s fifth-minute free-kick into the far-left corner but his effort was cancelled out by Lewis Wing’s 92nd-minute free-kick equaliser for Reading.
Jack Moylan wrapped up the Imps’ promotion-clinching with a 96th-minute strike.
Reading meanwhile slipped out of the play-off spots down to eighth after Stevenage and Plymouth clinched victories over Blackpool and Barnsley respectively.
In need of just one point for promotion and unbeaten in 23 matches at kick-off, Lincoln City immediately enjoyed a strong start with a couple of throw-ins within the opening minutes.
Their bright start however was rewarded in the fifth minute as Hackett’s free-kick was nodded into the far-left corner by One to ease any nerves amongst the away fans.
One almost doubled the Imps’ lead three minutes later as he turned in a diagonal pass from Hackett on a quick counter-attack, yet the 19-year old’s second goal was disallowed after he was adjudged to be marginally offside as he met the pass.
Aside from a wide shot by Charlie Savage, Reading failed to offer much quality going forward as Lincoln City’s Dom Jefferies saw a 40th-minute shot blocked, before Ryley Towler fired over the bar seconds later but the Imps protected their lead into half-time.
Reading continued to lack a clinical edge in the second half whilst Hackett dragged a 49th-minute shot as Lincoln City tried to wrap up victory and promotion.
Substitute, Alfie Lloyd put a header wide as Lincoln City continued to comfortably frustrate Reading who failed to muster a single shot on target throughout the normal time, until Wing curled in a 92nd-minute equaliser from a free-kick into the top-left corner.
Although a draw would of been enough, Lincoln City sealed their return to the second tier for the first time since 1960-61 season with a 96th-minute breakaway strike from Moylan.
What’s Next?
Reading continue their play-off push with a trip to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 11 April at 3pm BST.
Lincoln City will commence their promotion celebrations with a home match against Leyton Orient on the same date, albeit at the earlier time of 12:30pm.
Teams
Reading: Joel Pereira, Ryan Nyambe (Roberts 70′), Finley Burns, Paudie O’Connor, Jeriel Dorsett, Lewis Wing, Liam Fraser (Keane 70′), Kamari Doyle (Lane 28′), Charlie Savage, Daniel Kyerewaa, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan
Substitutes: Will Keane, Andy Yiadom, Paddy Lane, Andy Rinomhota, Haydon Roberts, Jack Stevens, Kadan Young
Lincoln City: George Wickens, Tendayi Darikwa, Tom Hamer, Sonny Bradley, Ryley Towler, Ivan Varfolomeev (Bayliss 83′), Conor McGrandles, Reeco Hackett (Moylan 83′), Dom Jefferies (Elerewe 67′), Ryan One (Lloyd 68′), Ben House (Street 59′)
Substitutes: Deji Elerewe, Tom Bayliss, Zach Jeacock, Alfie Lloyd, Jack Moylan, Erik Ring, Rob Street
Referee – Simon Mather
Leave a Reply