Emley AFC were left frustrated and heartbroken after a stoppage-time goal saw Lincoln United claim a 1-0 victory in a tightly contested encounter in Lincolnshire. The Pewits went into the game looking to respond to recent results, but despite long spells of control, particularly in the second half, they were unable to find the breakthrough and were ultimately punished at the death. The decisive moment came in the 95th minute, when Lincoln struck late to take all three points.

Speaking after the game, manager Richard Tracey admitted his side were left disappointed not just with the result, but with aspects of the performance: “We were really disappointed with the result,” he said. “It was a tight game and there wasn’t much between the sides, but we just didn’t do enough in the key moments to get something out of it. I felt like we got drawn into playing their game, especially with the conditions and the pitch. Instead of being brave and playing our way, we got sucked into a different style, and that’s something I take responsibility for.”

The first half was a fairly even affair, with both sides struggling to create clear openings. Emley’s best opportunity came when a defensive lapse allowed them in, only for the Lincoln goalkeeper to produce an excellent save to keep things level.

Tracey felt that moment and others proved costly. He said: “We had the best chance of the first half when Bailey broke through and hit it early, and the keeper’s made a terrific save to tip it wide. In games like that, those moments are massive. If that goes in, it changes everything.”

After the break, Emley improved and spent long periods in Lincoln territory, but again lacked the final edge: “I thought we were much better second half. We played the majority of the game in their half and looked the more likely, but we just couldn’t find that bit of quality in the final third. We created another really good chance, worked it wide, got a great ball into the box and we should score. When you don’t take those chances, you leave yourself open.”

With the game appearing destined for a draw, Emley were dealt a cruel late blow, conceding deep into added time: “To concede like that, so late on, is a real sucker punch, especially when we were in possession high up the pitch at the time. We’ve looked at it in training because those are the moments that can define games, especially at this stage of the season.”

Despite the setback, Emley remain firmly in the promotion mix heading into a defining Easter period: “If you’d said at the start of the season we’d be in this position with five games to go, we’d have taken it. We’ve got a mini-league now, five games and we’re targeting 13 to 15 points from those. That’s the standard we’ve set ourselves.”

Attention now turns to a huge double-header, beginning with a home clash against league leaders Redcar Athletic on Saturday, followed by a derby trip to Ossett United on Monday: “Redcar have been the best side this season and they deserve a lot of credit for that. But we’re at home, it’s a big game, and we need to go and assert ourselves and try to win.

“Then we’ve got Ossett away, which is a completely different challenge. They’re fighting for their lives, and those games are always tough especially with it being a derby. We’ve got two big tests in a short space of time, and this period could define where we finish.”

With the season entering its final stretch, the message from the Emley boss is clear: “We’ve got five games left, and we’re treating them like five cup finals. It’s about stepping up, showing what we’re about, and finishing the season as strongly as we possibly can.”