Michael Skubala ‘loved’ Lincoln performance as they beat Burton away

Lincoln head coach Michael Skubala admitted he “loved” his side’s performance as they recorded a gritty 1-0 League One win at Burton.

Sonny Bradley’s first-half header proved enough to secure three points to push the Imps to the brink of the play-off places.

Skubala said: “I loved that performance today.

“I thought from start to finish you could see their game plan and I thought our lads looked good tactically.

“Second half, particularly we looked good, we got on top of the game and could have scored more in the second half.”

Lincoln defended heroically as Burton threw everything at them in search of an equaliser and Skubala was pleased how his side shaped up.

“George (Wickens) didn’t really have a save to make,” he added. “But I do remember our lads getting plenty of important blocks in and that is what we do well.”

Lincoln’s experienced back line looked secure and Skubala felt that his side is progressing over time.

He added: “I think the experience is growing in the group and I’m not just talking about age; the younger players are getting experience as well and Freddie (Draper) and Justin (Obikwu) both did well when they came on.”

Bradley bagged the winner on his 34th birthday which did not go unnoticed by the Lincoln boss, who said: “It’s a great cross and it’s Sonny’s birthday today so that’s a great birthday for him.

“But I think he’s a little frustrated not to get a second when he was free in the second half. We work hard on our set pieces so it’s great that another has come off for us.”

Burton head coach Gary Bowyer had his own frustrations with Bradley as the experienced defender appeared to handle the ball inside the box for what looked like a penalty in the first half that did not go Albion’s way.

“I don’t think we got any decisions today, to be brutally honest,” Bowyer said.

“Sonny Bradley was rolling on the ball, pulled it in under his arm and gave a good impression of a lad trying to go second phase on a rugby try – and somehow it miraculously became a free-kick to them.”

Bowyer admitted that his side had not created clear chances to win the game and contrary to Lincoln’s experience, his young side were missing that bit of nous.

“That decision aside, we haven’t worked their keeper enough or been clinical enough when we have created chances,” Bowyer added.

The Albion boss was able to add the experience of midfielder George Evans from Wrexham on deadline day and the former Derby and Millwall man looked like he would be a useful addition to the Burton ranks.

“The outcome wasn’t the positive that we wanted,” he added. “But there were good things out there. George Evans looked good once he settled into the game and will only get better from that performance.”