Neal Eardley match-winner earns praise from Lincoln boss Danny Cowley

Posted Wednesday, February 14, 2018 by PA

Lincoln boss Danny Cowley hailed Neal Eardley after the full-back ended a goal drought of more than six years by thumping home a stunning 25-yarder that secured a 1-0 win over Cheltenham.

The former Blackpool defender, who last scored in November 2011, produced the one real moment of quality in a dour affair, lashing home in first-half injury-time, to send the Imps back into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places.

“What a strike,” said Cowley. “It shows you what quality he has got. He’s technically a fantastic footballer and it was a hell of a right-foot shot. It was a goal fitting of any win.”

Cowley admitted Lincoln were not great, as they dug in to beat a Cheltenham side buoyed by a 5-1 victory over Port Vale at the weekend, but he was more than satisfied with the result.

“You have to enjoy a good 1-0 win,” added Cowley. “We did really well in the first 15 minutes, but we stopped doing the things we were doing well although it was a great way to finish the half.

“But if you score an unbelievable goal like that then you have to get value and try to get the three points.

“We thought we had better control in the second half, but we still needed Ryan Allsop on a couple of occasions.

“I wasn’t overly happy with the process, but you’re not going to play well in all 46 games and the key is to try and find a way of winning when you don’t play well. We managed to do that last year and are doing it this season too.

“Cheltenham were a really tough opponent for us and made it really difficult for us.”

Cowley’s opposite number Gary Johnson was left frustrated after seeing his side match Lincoln for long periods, without coming up with the goods in front of goal.

“It was fine margins and I’m disappointed we didn’t get anything out of the game,” said Johnson.

“We got beat by a super goal and couldn’t do a lot about that as he struck it really well. I don’t think he scores too many like those and we up ended losing the game 1-0.”

Then making reference to Mo Eisa’s second-half effort that was saved by Allsop, when he opted to shoot rather than square to either of two unmarked team-mates, Johnson added: “If Mo had pulled it back to two lads that were free in the penalty area, we could have gone home with a well-deserved draw.

“But it’s a difficult place to come and the crowd are a big part of how they play. They put you under relentless pressure, with the balls into (Matt) Rhead and the balls he flicks on.

“We didn’t take any of four or five chances we got on the day, we were well in the game and the lads played well, so that’s why the lads are all disappointed.

“We lacked that final bit of quality that wins you a goal and wins you games.”