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Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth said he was “very pleased” with the result

Lincoln City continued their good form at home with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United, moving to 18th in the Blue Square Bet Premier league.

The Imps were looking to pick themselves up from a 2-0 defeat away to Wrexham last weekend.

Playing in front of more than 2,000 supporters at Sincil Bank, goals from Conal Platt and Simon Russell on either side of the break put City clearly on top of their 15th-placed opponents.

Ebbsfleet’s misery was compounded when defender Yado Mambo was sent off for bringing down Alan Power. John Nutter slotted the free kick home to cement City’s second successive home win 10 minutes from the end.

Manager David Holdsworth said after the win: “I think it was a conclusive victory today. It was fantastic two-touch football, which we’ve been working on in training. It was nice for them to take it to the dance floor.

“Three very good goals, and perhaps my only bit of criticism would be that we didn’t hit the target enough! It sounds a bit selfish but I demand high standards, and they all know that. But all in all, I’m very pleased.”

City’s newest recruits Tyrone Thompson and Jake Sheridan made their club debuts, while long-term injury absentees Russell and Josh Gowling made their comebacks to the starting lineup.

But it was Platt who caused the early scare for Ebbsfleet and City could well have taken the lead inside the first minute, only for goalkeeper Preston Edwards to save with his legs.

Platt, however, gave City’s initiative just reward on 38 minutes through a left-footed 20-yard curler that Edwards could do nothing about.

The visitors had a golden chance to level up four minutes from the interval via Nathaniel Pinney who, despite shouts of offside, had the goal at his mercy but fired straight at keeper Paul Farman’s legs.

City maintained their aggression after the restart. First Platt drove just wide of the post from 18 yards before Kyle Perry’s long-range shot was parried by Edwards.

Ebbsfleet had two close chances just after the hour mark as Liam Enver-Marum’s 25-yard effort went narrowly wide and a Michael West corner saw Paul Lorraine head straight at Farman.

But the hosts were looking increasingly dangerous on the counter, and it proved decisive after 74 minutes. A long ball from Tony Sinclair at right back found Russell who deftly killed the ball and fired powerfully into the top corner.

Just six minutes later and with Power through on goal, Mambo’s moment of madness earned him a straight red. Nutter stepped up to take the resultant free kick, which struck an Ebbsfleet head on its way to goal.

Holdsworth admitted the players would be give time to savour the win, but warned of tougher times ahead, saying: “There’s a lot more work to be done here but today is a good day for the fans.

“I said when I came here I would like to turn things around and see them enjoying their football. There have been a lot of tough times here before but we are going to take this step by step and today was a step in the right direction.”

Goalkeeper Joe Anyon is back in contention

Lincoln City will be raring to employ their newfound confidence to full effect when they take on Ebbsfleet at home in the Blue Square Bet Premier on Saturday.

The Imps are languishing just above the league’s relegation zone in 20th but are on a revival of sorts in the first month of manager David Holdsworth’s reins at Sincil Bank.

The former Mansfield chief already brought in several changes, with seven players making their way in to the club, as efforts both on and off the pitch start to show some positive results.

The club’s first league game under Holdsworth yielded a 2-1 win, while last Saturday saw a fighting City lose 2-0 away to league leaders Wrexham.

Speaking ahead of 15th-placed Ebbsfleet’s visit, Holdsworth said: “I’m pleased that some British values are coming into the club and the squad: commitment, honesty, integrity.

“The training ground’s a healthier place. The changes have been for the better and the days of laziness are gone.

“I’ve had to make some quick adjustments to get a better texture and competition for places. The players are probably not in their comfort zone and I’ve got some decisions to make this weekend. That’s a nice position for a manager.”

Richard Hinds and Tyrone Thompson were brought in on permanent deals; meanwhile Paul Farman, Conal Platt, Jake Sheridan and Luke Medly signed loan forms, with Holdsworth also keeping faith in Mitchell Nelson whose loan services were retained for a third time.

At the opposite end, Gavin McCallum, Ali Fuseini and Adam Watts were made available for loan last Monday. Npower League Two side Barnet have since snapped up McCallum, while Holdsworth is considering his options given the club’s financial state.

He added: “I’m hoping to have a couple moving in the right direction for us, regarding the finances. We’ve had a couple of enquiries and we’ll wait and see.”

Midfielder Simon Russell made his return from injury at Wrexham as a substitute — after 10 games out on the sidelines — but Sam Smith was forced off early at the Racecourse ground and will miss tomorrow’s clash.

Regular goalkeeper Joe Anyon is available for selection after serving his three-match ban even as emergency loanee Farman proved his own worth in goals.

Holdsworth was delighted at being spoilt for choice, saying: “That’s one position that Joe is aware of, that he’s now got someone else competing for his shirt.

“Joe is an extremely good goalkeeper. But it’s nice to have two good ones and that’s the reason I brought young Paul in. He’s doing a fine job; he’s been a credit to himself. It’s one selection headache that I’m pleased about.”