November 7, 2017 9.36 pm This story is over 76 months old

Lincoln City through to the last 32 of the Checkatrade Trophy after defeating Notts County

Lincoln City 2-1 Notts County match report.

A late Josh Ginnelly wonder goal ensured Lincoln City topped their Checkatrade Trophy group with a 2-1 win over League Two leaders Notts County.

County took the lead through Jonathan Forte but a Pierce Bird own goal before Ginnelly’s strike saw Lincoln come from behind to snatch the win.

The Imps have now topped Northern Group G of the competition after winning all three of their games

Lincoln almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Luke Waterfall got on the end of Billy Knott’s cross, however his header was unable to beat Branislav Pindroch.

A few minutes later Ollie Palmer came close with a curling effort, but failed to get his shot on target.

Waterfall then had a chance for Lincoln again but headed his effort wide after reaching Ginnelly’s cross.

The visitors took the lead in the 27th minute when Forte raced onto Liam Walker’s through ball, rounded goalkeeper Josh Vickers and slotted it into the empty net.

Lincoln equalised ten minutes later when Cameron Stewart’s perfect free-kick was turned in by Notts County debutant Bird.

The Imps started the second-half brightly and Elliott Whitehouse went close after he found Ollie Palmer’s pull-back, but was unable to test Pindroch.

Moments later Neil Eardley did well on the left-hand side before looping his cross into the back post, however Palmer’s effort was blocked and Knott’s long-range shot went wide.

With 15 minutes to go, Vickers made a good stop with his knee from a Nicky Hunt shot from inside the area.

Walker then had a chance for County, but his right-footed half volley failed to hit the target.

Harry Anderson, returning from injury, then went close with minutes to go, but his shot was blocked by a Notts County defender and went out for a corner.

Ginnelly then snatched the winner with three minutes to go when his 25-yard shot went straight into the top corner.

Lincoln will now travel to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday in the leagueand will discover their opponents for the next round of the Checkatrade Trophy in the coming weeks.

County almost equalised in the dying seconds but substitute Jon Stead saw his effort tipped wide by Vickers.

Lincoln City: Vickers; Long, Waterfall, Raggett, Eardley; Whitehouse, Bostwick (Woodyard 46); Ginnelly, Knott (Chapman 86), Stewart (Anderson 59); Palmer

Subs: Farman (GK), Dickie, Arnold, Green

Notts County: Pindroch; Hunt, Bird, Hollis, Jones; Walker, Thompson (Grant 63), Milsum (Stead 85), Alessandra; Smith, Forte (Saunders 73)

Subs: Fitzsimons (GK), Hewitt, Hodge, Hawkridge

Attendance: 3,026 (178 Notts County fans)

The Lincolnite Man of the Match: Elliott Whitehouse