Lincoln City safeguarded their Blue Square Premier League status for the 2013-14 season with a 5-1 at Hyde on Saturday, as they pushed Stockport County to relegation.
After last week’s victory against Tamworth, Gary Simpson’s Imps still needed a win to ensure their status in the division.
Lincoln started well as on-loan winger Jake Jones was felled in the box. A penalty was awarded, which last week’s match winner Alan Power dispatched with ease into the same side as his strike a week earlier.
Power turned provider next as he swung a neat corner into the opposition’s penalty area, which was met by midfield enforcer Mo Fofana, who headed the ball against the bar and into the back of the net to make it 2 – 0.
Jake Sheridan’s second-half cross was met by the head of target man Vadaine Oliver to give the Imps a three-goal advantage.
Hyde managed to pull a goal back through Luke Ashworth, who converted with a powerful header to give the home team a route back into the match.
Oliver added another to his tally to make it 4 – 1, before sealing his hat-trick with a great show of strength and a cool finish to give Lincoln a 5 – 1 final score.
That result, combined with Stockport’s 2 – 0 loss to high-fliers Kidderminster Harriers, meant that Stockport County, who were plying their trade in League One just three years ago, are relegated to the Blue Square North.
Lads salute the fans before heading towards the dressing room twitter.com/LincolnCity_FC…
— Lincoln City FC (@LincolnCity_FC) April 20, 2013
During the week Lincoln City chairman Bob Dorrian insisted that even if the club were to be relegated to the Blue Square North, they would stay as a full-time club.
Manager Gary Simpson has gathered 20 points in his time at the club since he replaced David Holdsworth.
However, it is unclear whether he will still be at the club next year, with his current deal at The 12th Imp Sincil Bank running out at the end of this season.