Lincoln United 1-3 Cambridge United

Date: Sunday 25th October, 2009
Competition: FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
Weather at kick-off: bright, breezy
Goals:
Lincoln: Forrester 3'
Cambridge: McAuley 35', Willmott 39', Hatswell 41'

The U's recovered from an early scare to book their place in the FA Cup 1st Round, where they will meet Ilkeston Town at home.

Martin Ling made one change to the side that lost 3-0 at Hayes & Yeading last week, calling up Rory McAuley for his first start of the campaign in place of the suspended Dan Gleeson.

Jamie Forrester's opportunist effort inside the opening three minutes gave the Unibond First Division South side a sniff of a giant-killing.

The former Notts County striker's 30-yard lob caught Danny Potter out of position as the U's appeared to be carrying on from where they left off at Hayes & Yeading. But after forcing Potter into a smart save minutes after taking the lead, the hosts were then overwhelmed by a resurgent Cambridge side.

Chris Holroyd's effort was disallowed for offside, but then United asserted their authority in a whirlwind ten minutes before half time as two products of the youth system inspired the U's to turn it around.

Rory McAuley grabbed his first senior goal on 35 minutes with a deflected shot inside the box from Wayne Hatswell's headed assist.

And five minutes later Robbie Willmott put Martin Ling's men ahead, guiding Jai Reason's through ball past the 'keeper from close range.

Moments before the break scorer turned provider as Willmott's corner was met firmly by the head of Wayne Hatswell to give United a two-goal advantage.

With safe passage to the first round seemingly assured, Cambridge emerged for the second half keen to keep their stranglehold on the game.

The impressive Reason saw his well crafted chip strike the bar on 53 minutes and on 69 minutes Courtney Pitt stung the palms of the 'keeper with a long-range drive.

Lee Phillips and Andy Parkinson were introduced late on, with Holroyd and Pitt making way, as Cambridge edged towards a first away win since the 4-2 victory over Chester City in August.

The lively Forrester nearly gave Lincoln United a lifeline but his shot from just outside the area hit the bar and went behind for a goal kick.

Adam Marriott was introduced for the final few minutes to further highlight the strength of United's excellent youth set-up. The highly-rated youngster's appearance was warmly received by the travelling U's fans.

Three minutes of injury-time passed without incident as United booked their place in the FA Cup 1st round in front of a crowd of 837.

Lincoln United:
Ziccardi, Hawley, Porter, McDaid (c), Wilkins, Machin, O'Halloran, Melton, Mullarkey, Forrester, Cann.
Subs: Smith, Zuerner, Lunn, Schofield, Malinkovic, Green, Turner.

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Rory McAuley, Brian Saah, Wayne Hatswell, Anthony Tonkin; Robbie Willmott, Jai Reason, Paul Carden (c), Courtney Pitt (Andy Parkinson 80'); Danny Crow (Adam Marriott 90'), Chris Holroyd (Lee Phillips 80').
Subs not used: Josh Coulson, Jon Challinor, Sam Ives, Laurie Walker.

Referee: Mr Richard West

Attendance: 837 (away 436)

Russ Greaves