Lincoln City broke their voodoo with Crawley Town to move eight points clear at the top of Sky Bet League Two.

Goals from Bruno Andrade, Shay McCartan and Cian Bolger gave the Imps a 3-0 win.

This becomes the first time the Imps have ever beaten the Red Devil’s.

Danny Cowley made just the one change from the side that drew at Mansfield. Tom Pett came back into the side ahead of Michael O’Connor in midfield.

The Imps started off on the front foot as John Akinde nearly broke the deadline within three minutes. But his header looped just over the Crawley goal.

The early stages were dominated by Lincoln but Manchester United loanee Matthew Willock was having an increasing input for Crawley.

This saw the hosts create their best chance when Ollie Palmer failed to connect with a fizzing cross from the right.

Just before the 40 minute mark was when Lincoln struck. Captain Neal Eardley’s whipped cross found Andrade who lashed in on the volley. His tenth of the season.

The second half started similar to the first with Cowley’s side dominating the game. Andrade going close on a number of occasions, even denied a penalty kick.

The hosts were just like bystanders as the league leaders blew them away. Shay McCartan had come on for Danny Rowe just five minutes before scoring an incredible solo goal.

The Northern Irishman is no stranger to a stroke of brilliance following his sensational strike at Swindon earlier in the year. McCartan picked the ball up around 40 yards from goal and glided through the defence before sending the keeper the wrong way and finding the corner.

And just ten minutes later, Bolger joined in on the act. The tall centre half was left unmarked at the back post and calmly nodded into the bottom corner. His first for his new club.

With Bury only mustering a draw at Grimsby and Mansfield losing at home to Crewe, Lincoln’s lead has now extended to eight points.

Cowley and his men will face Macclesfield at home next Saturday in a game crucial at both ends of the table. Tributes to former manager Kieth Alexander and player Richard Butcher are set to be paid by the two clubs.

words Jake Tonge, Lincoln City fan and writer