Town's title hopes gather pace after four-goal win

Lincoln Railway AFC 0

Skegness Town’s title challenge was given a boost by a four-goal victory over Lincoln Railway AFC, who started the day in second place.

Two goals in each half completed a league double over the Railmen, who travel back to Burgh Road in four weeks time for their Supplementary Cup quarter-final.

The win also helped the Lilywhites leapfrog their opponents into the top three.

They are within 10 points of leaders Sleaford Town Reserves with a game in hand.

The seasiders welcomed back Courtney Warren to the defence, but injury ruled out Arron Scutt.

Ben Drysdale was also unavailable.

After dropping points at Wyberton the previous week, hopes of extending their unbeaten league run to six games were strengthened by a goal in the first minute.

Luke Rayner-Mistry did the honours, notching his fourth league goal of the season and sixth in all competitions.

Jordan Smith made it 2-0 before the interval, taking advantage of hesitancy in the visitors’ defence, and further goals from Ben Davison and Will Britton in the second half sealed the points.

Lilywhites boss Nick Chapman was pleased by the performance on what was a heavy pitch.

“We were strong at the back, creative in midfield and lively up front,” he said.

“James (Lambley) in our goal had little to do, although he did pull off a good save when it was 2-0.

“We had our chances to make it even more convincing, but the lads played very  well.”

There would have been some concern in the Skegness camp about the form of the Railmen, who had recently turned over Wyberton in their rise to the top two.

In particular Golden Boot favourite Simon Mowbray had been particularly hot in front of goal, but Town’s defenders kept him quiet.

“The early goal settled us down in the difficult conditions and we won quite comfortably in the end,” said Chapman.

TOWN: Lambley, Warren, Epton, Hurst, Chamberlain, L. Parker, Smith, Davison, Britton, Rayner-Mistry, M. Parker, Veall, Bartlett.