Spirited Imps go out to classy Bolton

Lincoln City showed spirit in a heavy 4-0 defeat at Premier League Bolton Wanderers. Chris Herd was the stand out player for City and was the only Imp who ever looked like soring. It was 0-0 at half time but two goals within 30 seconds just after the half sealed the game for the hosts.

Bolton kicked off and won a free kick within mere seconds of the kick off as Kerr ironically fouled Kevin Davies, the player with the most fouls in Premiership history. Robinson played the ball in but Herd was on hand to clear the ball. Debutant Saunders gained a free kick after being fouled by Gardener, the free kick was played in and City gained a corner. Hughton swung the ball in before Saunders headed wide. A bright start by City continued with Herd heading wide, but from that point onwards it was mainly the hosts who produced chances.

Chung-Yong Lee fired well over for the hosts before Ivan Klasnic hit a low shot wide of the target from distance. On one of the rare occasions that John-Lewis didn't hit the ball out of play with his first touch, he had a shot blocked and Bolton broke and they gained their first corner, although it was cleared by Anderson.

Andy O'Brien's effort from distance didn't trouble Burch before Herd had City's first shot on target with a right footed effort from just outside the area, it was well saved by Al Habsi in the Bolton goal. The final chance of the first half came Bolton's way from a corner, but it was cleared by City's defence rather considerably.

Mark Davies replaced Fabrice Muamba at half time and despite City forcing a corner within the first minute of added on time, it was a minute of madness that effectively ended City's interest in the cup for another year. Matt Taylor swung the ball into the box following a throw, neither Swaibu and Watts could hit it before the ball entered the net. 30 seconds later and it was 2-0 as Chung-Yong Lee slotted home from 15 yards after Burch had gone walkabouts.

With it effectively being game over, Sutton decided to bring on Uwezu for John-Lewis. The huge ironic cheer when John-Lewis' number was held up says it all about his performance. Elmander replaced Klasnic for the hosts.

City gained a free kick just outside of the D, but instead of shooting the players stupidly tried a clever free kick that saw someone pass it to Kerr, Kerr stopping the ball and then nothing as a Bolton defender had an easy time clear the ball. Burch had to be alert to stop a Gardner effort before Taylor hit the bar. Gilmour hit a shot wide from distance before Herd came within the fingertips of El Habsi to scoring. Kerr shot wide from the corner. Kerr fired wide away in a spell of City pressure before Cohen replaced Lee for the hosts.