Pontefract Collieries maintained their unbeaten start to the season and were twice pegged back in a 2-2 draw away at Lincoln United despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men.
The Colls got off to a flying start scoring inside the first minute. A ball forward found Priestley in the box who used his strength to roll the defender before squaring the for Allott to put home at the far post from 4 yards out.
Priestley, Allott and Rothery linked up well throughout, and Allott had the ball in the net again with a lovely glancing header after great wide play from Spratt & Rothery. Unfortunately it was ruled out for offside. The Colls were looking the better of the 2 teams, but Lincoln always looked capable of creating good chances.
It was with one of those chances that Louie Jarvis equalised for the hosts. A ball across the box found Jarvis who calmly slotted home from inside the box. The Collieries continued to create chances with the hosts struggling to contain the Pontefract frontline, but it was the hosts who will feel that they should have taken the lead when a cross cut back from the right wing was struck high over the bar.
The Colls found themselves down to 10 men just after half an hour as Greenhough was shown a red card for a coming together as Greenhough was attempting to take a throw-in. Despite being down to 10 men, the Colls continued to press forward in the closing stages of the first half. Vann skewed a volley wide, and Allott receiving the ball out wide on the left, drove strongly into the box with his shot hitting the side netting.
The Colls pressure paid off, retaking the lead in first half injury time. Vann having another effort blocked, and with the ball bouncing around Allott caused a nuisance and managed to get the ball free to Priestley who volleyed in from around 12 yards. On such a warm day, seeing out a 2-1 lead with 10 men was always going to be a big ask, but it was the Colls who had the first chance of the second half. Allott curled an effort from the edge of the box onto the inside of the post, but unfortunately it bounced back out.
Lincoln continued to try and stretch the game and utilise the advantage of having an extra player. As the Whites pushed forward and broke into the Colls area Picton was adjudged to have pulled the attacker back and Lincoln were awarded a Penalty. Matthew Cotton calmly struck home for the hosts to make it 2-2.
As the game entered the closing stages, the Colls found it harder to hold the ball in the attacking third but continued to look dangerous on the break, as Spratt’s determined driving run created an opportunity for Rothery who’s effort failed to hit the target.
Another break forward saw the Lincoln keeper try to prevent substitute Lumsden’s chase for a loose ball by catching the ball mid air and falling outside the area. The Pontefract players & fans felt adamant that the ball was handled outside the area but nothing was given.
All in all it was a good result to maintain the Pontefract unbeaten start to the season particularly having played for an hour with 10 men, but having led twice may feel that on another day they’d have taken all 3 points.