Efl Roundup: Lincoln Promoted To Championship With Win At Reading

Lincoln celebrated promotion to nan Championship pinch a hard-earned 2-1 triumph astatine nan playoff chasers Reading arsenic they returned to nan 2nd tier aft 65 years.

Lincoln, needing only a point, made a agleam commencement and went up successful nan 5th infinitesimal done Ryan Oné and seemed destined for a 1-0 win, only for Reading to level successful nan 2nd infinitesimal of stoppage clip from a Lewis Wing free-kick. However, Jack Moylan snatched nan victor 4 minutes later, seconds aft promotion had been secured by Bolton v Stockport finishing successful a 2-2 draw, meaning neither could drawback nan Imps.

City’s 2,884 fans successful nan packed distant extremity had plentifulness to cheer early connected erstwhile Oné nodded location a Reeco Hackett-Fairchild free-kick, an effort which Joel Pereira should possibly person saved.

Reading, unbeaten astatine location successful their erstwhile 10 matches, were incapable to make immoderate headway against nan Imps’ well-drilled defence. Charlie Savage fired wastefully wide successful a uncommon location attack, while nan defender Ryley Towler drove narrowly complete arsenic nan visitors almost doubled their lead.

Lincoln were contented to beryllium backmost for overmuch of nan 2nd period, their occupation almost completed, arsenic nan Royals drove guardant relentlessly but fruitlessly. The City substitute Alfie Lloyd headed wide from a Conor McGrandles transverse earlier Reading equalised done Wing’s good 20-yard free-kick.

In nan sixth infinitesimal of added time, Moylan slammed location from adjacent scope arsenic Lincoln returned to nan 2nd tier for nan first clip since relegation successful 1961 and dealt a rustle to nan location side’s playoff hopes.

• More to follow