Yeo's early strike has Lincoln on the rise

Lincoln City 2 Scunthorpe United

Lincoln City moved to within three points of the League Two promotion places last night by beating Scunthorpe United, their Lincolnshire rivals.

Lincoln City moved to within three points of the League Two promotion places last night by beating Scunthorpe United, their Lincolnshire rivals.

Simon Yeo's first-minute strike gave them a lead they were never to relinquish, despite being put under increasing pressure by a Scunthorpe side gradually slipping down the table after a fine start to the season. Gary Taylor-Fletcher wrapped up the win with a superb chip late on.

This was the first occasion a Lincoln home league game had ever been televised live and they celebrated their evening in the spotlight by taking an immediate lead.

Taylor-Fletcher's long ball forward was more hopeful than anything else but Yeo beat Richard Hinds to the ball before cutting inside the defender. From the edge of the penalty area, the 31-year-old's low shot arrowed into the bottom corner for his 23rd goal of a productive season.

Lincoln have several six-footers in their ranks and Scunthorpe struggled to compete at set pieces throughout the first half. From Kevin Sandwith's corners, both Ben Futcher and Jamie McCombe went close as Lincoln enjoyed the majority of possession.

Their best chance came when Hinds and Paul Musselwhite almost presented Francis Green with an open goal as defender and goalkeeper went for the same ball, only for it to ricochet off Green past the post.

Lincoln almost began the second half in similar style to the first when Sandwith's free-kick from fully 30 yards drew a fine save from Musselwhite.

In Andy Keogh, however, Scunthorpe have a player capable of creating a goal at any moment - his close control and quick feet were often too much for his markers.

He and Scunthorpe began to see more of the ball, and even though clear-cut opportunities were at a premium, Lincoln were restricted to only a few forays out of their own half.

But with 13 minutes remaining Taylor-Fletcher broke down the right and chipped Musselwhite to ensure the local bragging rights belonged to Lincoln.

Lincoln City (3-4-3): Marriott; McCombe, Morgan, Futcher; McAuley, Butcher, Gain, Sandwith; Taylor-Fletcher (Bloomer, 89), Green (Asamoah, 85), Yeo (Ryan, 90). Substitutes not used: Carruthers, Hanlon.

Scunthorpe United (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Byrne, Crosby (Williams, 46), Hinds, Ridley; Sparrow, Kell, Baraclough, Beagrie (Taylor, 64); Keogh (Hayes, 64), Torpey. Substitutes not used: Evans (gk), Rankine.

Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).