Barnsley had to settle for a draw at Sincil Bank this afternoon in an entertaining Sky Bet League One encounter.
Falling behind early on, the Reds would fight back to lead going into the dying embers of an absorbing contest but a late leveller denied Neill Collins' side all three points at the LNER Stadium.
Having made four changes to his starting lineup, following our last league outing, Collins will have been pleased with how Barnsley started the game. They were bright, on the front-foot, showcasing some intricate passing football in and around the hosts' box.
Inside the first minute, midfielder Herbie Kane saw a powerful low strike deflect off a defender's leg, taking the effort just wide of goal. Soon after, a lovely Nicky Cadden cross towards the front post was cleverly back-heeled towards the bottom left corner by Devante Cole, only for Imps goalkeeper, Lukas Jensen to deny him what would have been a special strike.
With just five minutes on the clock, and from what was City's first real foray forward, they'd earn themselves a penalty kick. As has become commonplace this season, the Reds would fall behind from 12 yards. It had been a clumsy challenge just inside the box and up stepped the Imps' Irish playmaker, Danny Mandroiu who sent Ben Killip the wrong way from the spot, giving the home side an ideal start.
For the rest of the first 45', Barnsley were practically camped in the opposition's half of the pitch, but creating clear opportunities remained difficult.
In fact, the Imps could have been 2-0 up when Maël de Gevigney slipped, 40 yards from goal, allowing Jovon Makama in on goal but the youngster's eventual strike - with Jordan Williams sliding in - was saved well to his right by Killip.
Despite enjoying the vast majority of possession, the Reds' best effort of the half was a bit of a pot-shot from Cadden. After a corner kick had been headed out of the box by ex-Red Adam Jackson, Cadden would send a speculative half-volley back towards goal from 20 yards out but Jensen was able to parry the strike away to safety.
HALF TIME: Lincoln City 1-0 Barnsley
The game opened up a little after the break, allowing Lincoln to enjoy more freedom at times, but it was the Reds who were looking favourites to score next. Indeed, just a handful of minutes into the second period, some pressure on the Imps defence began to tell, with John McAtee seeing a header cleared in front of the goalline.
In what was his final contribution before being replaced, Callum Styles then drew a save out of Jensen at his near post with a low effort. On came Sam Cosgrove, who went up front, allowing McAtee to drop into the hole vacated by the Hungarian international.
The equaliser arrived on 68 minutes as a second phase McAtee cross found Barry Cotter at the back post who controlled the ball with composure and then finished - right-footed - into the other corner of the net with real aplomb.
The sold out away end erupted once again just three minutes later, as this time McAtee - unmarked, arriving into the box - provided a sidefooted finish to put away Williams' low cross from a mere six yards out.
However, with time running out, City were awarded an 88th minute corner, despite the ball being headed behind by their own striker. And from that set-play, an initial header that was saved by Killip saw the ball drop to Imps defender TJ Eyoma who was on-hand to smash home the rebound two yards out.
Another point on the board as focus now switches to Tuesday night and another league fixture against Wycombe Wanderers at Oakwell.
FULL TIME: Lincoln City 2-2 Barnsley
Killip, Cotter (Łopata), Williams, de Gevigney, McCart, Cadden, Connell (Russell), Kane, Styles (Cosgrove), Cole, McAtee (Phillips).
Unused: Flavell, Dodgson, Jaló.
