Lincoln City recorded their first League victory of the season at the expense of Barnet who still seek their first points of the campaign as the Imps scored two late goals at Sincil Bank.

Ismail Yakubu was fit enough to return at centre back and partner Joe Devera, whilst the Barnet manager Paul Fairclough gave goalkeeper Ran Kadoch was given his first start in English football. Ashley Carew was at right back.

In terms of formation Barnet started with a 4-5-1 line up which had the clear intention of halting the steady flow of goals against. Cliff Akurang was the furthest forward player with Adam Birchall and Albert Adomah providing support from the flanks.

The Barnet players worked hard to nullify what Lincoln could offer and denied them time and space to develop moves. This ploy had some success in that the home side, particularly in the first half, were reduced to shooting from long distance and you could detect some frustration in their play.

Stefan Oakes in midfield was influential for Lincoln, he spread the play to both wings with great accuracy and kept their game flowing. However he was forced deeper and deeper in search of the ball as the five man midfield of Barnet kept their shape and consistently got behind the ball.

As an attacking force the Bees threatened only occasionally with Albert Adomah having a few trademark runs which offered some promise. One terrific run in the first minute of second half took him deep into Lincoln territory, only for Janos Kovacs to cynically block his path. Amazingly the referee chose to ignore the incident other than to award a free kick. Scant compensation since Adomah was in a very dangerous position and Kovacs knew it.

Kadoch's debut lasted just half an hour. He limped off with a thigh strain which could see him sidelined for a little while. Lee Harrison came off the bench and looked solid and could not be faulted with the two goals he was to concede late on.

In the 68th minute Lincoln introduced two subs in Lennell John-Lewis and Adrian Patulea in an effort to pep up the home sides attack. Within six minutes the Imps had forged ahead when a shot from the edge of the box, took a slight deflection, hit a post and fell invitingly to Dany N'Guessan who beat Harrison to find the back of the net from close range.

The Bess added Luke Medley to the attack from the bench as Barnet re arranged their formation in an attempt to go and search for an equaliser, but two minutes from time despite opportunities to clear the ball the Romanian debutant Patulea showed determination to force the ball over the line and the destination of the three points became assured.

Barnet's plan to stifle Lincoln had been successful up to the 74th minute and the players had worked diligently to get to this stage of the match without conceding a goal and many local observers felt that the Bees would indeed record their first point of the season. However in the last quarter of the match Lincoln, with the aid of their substitutions, were able to up their tempo and ran out deserving winners.

After playing seven competitive matches this season, amazingly only two of which have been at home, Barnet return to Underhill next Saturday to face Morecambe in a quest to kick start their season.

David Bloomfield.