Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala explained how he and his side plotted key aspects of their win over Carlisle United on the training ground.
The Imps’ first goal in particular was one they had “planned” against the Blues’ expected approach, the visiting head coach said.
Ben House’s goal came as Lincoln outmanoeuvred United, working the ball to the right before Lasse Sorensen crossed and Joe Taylor set up House.
“We thought they [Carlisle] might do a similar thing to what they did at Peterborough – a 4-5-1 with a block – so we had to go around the block and try and get bodies in the box,” said Skubala.
“It was a goal we planned and that’s why we’re pleased with it.”
Further efforts from Taylor and Ted Bishop clinched Lincoln’s 3-1 win at Brunton Park, with Sam Lavelle hitting United’s consolation.
The result extended the sixth-placed Imps’ unbeaten run to 15 games as they push to secure a play-off place.
“I thought they were always going to have moments and it was about how well we weathered it,” added Skubala, speaking to BBC Lincolnshire.
“We tweaked it, they came out like a rocket [at the start of the second half] and we had to make some big saves and blocks, but we are good at defending our box.
“That’s where our mentality and desire to win the ball is important. Defending gave us the chance to get the second and more defending [gave us the chance to earn] the free-kick [for the third], and then Teddy Bishop showed his class.”
Lincoln have now won five on the spin and Skubala was pleased with many aspects of the display, less so certain spells.
“I thought we had to dig in again, scrap and fight,” he added. “We knew coming here, they’re just playing for their lives, and against anyone playing for their lives it’s going to be tough.
“We started the game brilliantly, we were lively, and got 1-0 up, but then we took our foot off the gas a bit and allowed them to make it a little bit clunky.
“They left four on the top line and were going long, and it became a bit of a war of attrition.
“Second half, wow, they started so bright, and we needed Jordan [Wright, goalkeeper] and the lads to dig in in that moment.
“Even though we were lively on the counter we couldn’t settle when we got in their half.
“But it’s going to be scrappy and messy, and we’ve got to get through it with their mentality and that’s what we did.”
Lincoln coped with the loss of regular No1 Lukas Jensen, the former Carlisle loan keeper, to a back injury in the warm-up.
That cost the Dane his ever-present record as Wright stepped up, the understudy’s efforts earning praise from the Lincoln head coach.
“What a couple of saves Jordan made,” said Skubala. “I’ve said to the group, we’re going to need everybody.
“Every day he trains like a brilliant pro and he had to win us the game in some ways today.”
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