Coupled with other results on the night, Dynamo are now five points from safety, but have a poorer goal difference than their nearest rivals in the relegation battle.
LOUGHBOROUGH Dynamo came away from Lincoln United on the wrong end of a 3-1 score line on Tuesday night, as the promotion chasing United side took their goal scoring chances.
The opening exchanges were fairly well balanced, a high cross from the left well held by Dynamo goalkeeper Charlie Hornby in the third minute, with Dynamo going straight down the pitch, but Chris Spencer’s centre went out of play from a good position.
Mark Shelton then went on a good solo run and cut inside, but his shot went high and wide. A good ball came in from the Lincoln left wing into the centre of the Dynamo penalty area, but a fine clearance by James Cullingworth snuffed out the threat.
In the 14th minute referee Duncan Carratt waved away penalty appeals by Lincoln after Matthew Cotton went down in the penalty area following a tackle by Dynamo captain and centre back Carl Sibson. A minute later a free kick was dropped by Hornby, but former Dynamo player Rob Norris fired the loose ball over the bar.
A good break by Dynamo in the 17th minute saw Kevin Hemagou get away from the Lincoln back line, but his shot was well saved for a corner by Lincoln goalkeeper Richard Walton. Dynamo then earned a free kick outside of the Lincoln penalty area, from which Spencer shot wide.
The breakthrough for the first goal came in the 29th minute, and it went to Lincoln. Will Dennis fouled Mitchell Griffiths in the penalty area, and from the resultant penalty kick Jack McGovern fired hard and low past Hornby.
The match regained its end to end balance, without either team testing the goalkeepers, but the best threats to a goal came from Lincoln close to half time. First Griffiths got on the end of a through ball but overhit his centre, then a good centre delivered by Lincoln left back Kallum Smith was well cleared by Sibson.
The early stages of the second half carried on the balance of the later stages of the first half, but a second Lincoln goal arrived in the 52nd minute.
Dynamo failed to clear a Lincoln corner, and the ball was pulled back to Matthew Cotton who drove home.
Within a minute Dynamo were on the score sheet. Walton saved Hemagou’s shot with his outstretch foot, Dynamo reclaiming the loose ball, Leandro Browne set up Shelton who fired home a fine shot, bringing Dynamo back into the match.
The 60th minute saw a good Lincoln move set up Cotton, whose shot was saved by Hornby. Three minutes later Dynamo had a chance to equalise when right back Jordan Lemon’s back pass fell short of Walton. Hemagou latched on to the ball but could not get a shot in, and he went wide and turned the ball back to Eddy Samba, who shot wide, Hemagou being in the better position initially.
Four minutes later Lincoln increased their lead. A disputed Lincoln corner saw Cotton’s shot deflected home by McGovern, for the Lincoln number nine’s second goal of the night, and the home side’s third.
This third goal was harsh on Dynamo, the visitors continuing to battle, with Shelton and Leon McSweeney playing well in the Dynamo midfield.
The match resumed its ebb and flow, with Burton Albion Academy loanee Mirza Sejdic coming off the bench to make his Dynamo debut, but neither goalkeeper was called into action until the closing stages of the game.
In the 89th minute Sejdic made space for himself but fired high over the Lincoln bar, and in stoppage time an overhead kick by Lincoln Captain Michael Jacklin went straight at Hornby.
The final 3-1 score line was a little harsh on Dynamo. This game was the first of a run of three away games. On Saturday (February 27), Dynamo travel to Newcastle Town, then on Saturday March 5, to divisional leaders Stafford Rangers.