Michael Skubala lauds Lincoln character after victory over Exeter

Lincoln manager Michael Skubala hailed the character of his side as they continued their push for promotion to the Championship with a deserved 1-0 win at Exeter.

Just three days after their outstanding 2-0 win at Cardiff took the Imps to the top of League One, Tom Hamer’s header in the 32nd minute, from an Adam Reach free-kick, extended their unbeaten run to an impressive 19 games.

“You have to come to these places on the road and dig it out and this group have the determination to do that and have done it again. They’ve all put a big shift in,” a delighted Skubala said.

“They were sensational in that sense. Exeter had more territory but we didn’t give up big chances. We were brilliant at heading the ball out of the box when needed and the substitutes all came on and played their part.

“It’s a really good three points and six out of six in the past two games is a fantastic return for us.

“Now, our focus is on a really big game against Stockport County on Saturday, who have had the midweek off, so we’ve got to recover well and get ready to go again.

“I’ll watch the game back on the bus back up to Lincolnshire, we have to keep improving as we know the teams around us will keep doing so. We’ve got to make sure we keep putting points on the board.”

The defeat extended Exeter’s winless run to 10 matches and left Matt Taylor looking for his first victory since returning to the club as interim manager.

“I am disappointed to lose the game,” Taylor said. “I was frustrated at half-time because I didn’t think we showed enough of what we are about, with and without the ball, or our quality.

“The goal is offside, so that is another kick in the teeth, for a team that’s a little low on confidence, but I felt we played like a team that’s been on that run in the first half, a little bit timid, tentative, not believing in ourselves.

“We were playing against a very good team and they put us under pressure, but I just felt there was so much more to come from the group and as that second half went on and with the changes we made to the structure of the team, I was generally pleased but without creating those clear-cut opportunities.

“I felt our set pieces were poor and for a team that defend their box as well as Lincoln do, you have to ask different questions – and we had so many set-piece opportunities.

“Despite being offside, their goal came from a set piece. I just don’t think we believe in those moments.”