Lincoln United were left frustrated on the East Yorkshire coast as a late goal condemned them to a narrow 2–1 defeat against an in-form Bridlington Town side in the Northern Premier League East Division.

There was little to separate the sides for large spells of the first half, but the opening clear-cut opportunity fell the way of the hosts after ten minutes. A strong attacking move down the left, orchestrated by Bridlington’s number nine, saw the ball worked cleverly into the centre of the box. From just three yards out, it looked certain to be the opener — but the effort was somehow lifted over the crossbar, much to Lincoln’s relief.

Chances were at a premium for the remainder of the half. Bridlington perhaps edged the territorial battle, but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested as the two sides went in level at the break.

The deadlock was broken eight minutes into the second half. A move down the right flank resulted in a cut-back that evaded the outstretched boot of Alan Power, falling invitingly to the Bridlington forward who unleashed a ferocious strike into the top right-hand corner. It was a finish of the highest quality — one that no goalkeeper in the world would have kept out — and it gave the hosts a 1–0 advantage on 53 minutes.

Bridlington nearly doubled their lead moments later when a floated cross into the box somehow drifted beyond a cluster of players, with a home head unable to apply the finishing touch.

Lincoln thought they had found a route back into the contest on 56 minutes when the ball was turned home, only for celebrations to be cut short by a highly controversial offside flag. It was a decision that sparked frustration amongst the visitors and set the tone for a tense final half hour.

The Whites did eventually draw level on 85 minutes. Impact substitute Andy Janssen was brought down inside the penalty area after a determined run, and Elliot Dye stepped up to calmly convert from the spot to make it 1–1 and set up a grandstand finish.

However, the contest descended into chaos shortly afterwards. Sam Swinn was shown a straight red card for a challenge that appeared to warrant little more than a caution, leaving Lincoln to see out the closing stages with ten men amid growing frustration at the officiating.

Deep into stoppage time, Bridlington capitalised. After a bobbling ball in the box was eventually brought under control, a composed piece of play created space at a tight angle, and the finish was drilled low into the bottom right-hand corner to snatch a 92nd-minute winner.

It was a cruel blow for Lincoln United, who had battled resolutely and could justifiably have felt a point would have been a fair outcome.

Speaking after the game, manager Dave Frecklington said:

“It just didn’t go for us today, I couldn’t be prouder of the lads. We’ve come away from home to a really difficult place and a really in-form team but it’s just the way football goes.”

Lincoln United now turn their focus to the next week of fixtures with two mammoth away trips to Blyth , determined to respond after a setback.

Up The Whites!