Bristol Rovers cursed their luck after a 6-3 defeat earlier in the season when nothing seemed to go their way. There was a similar feeling after the return fixture at Sincil Bank, albeit this was an entirely different contest.
Regan Poole's contentious 14th-minute goal proved to be the difference in a scrappy game which saw Rovers play with 10 men for the most part after Ryan Loft was sent off on the verge of half time. In difficult circumstances, the Gas did not wilt, but they did succumb to a fourth straight League One defeat which dropped them to 14th in the table.
The Gas are caught in a moment where factors in and out of their control have combined to leave them in a rut. Their performances have not been up to scratch, but not for the first time in recent weeks they were on the wrong side of some significant calls from the officials.
It always seems to happen this way with luck and form deserting at the same time. Fortunately for the Gas, they have stumbled from a lofty platform in the table to the middle of the pack in recent weeks rather than into the crux of the relegation battle, but at some point soon Rovers have to snap out of this funk.
A goal or two may be all it takes to get the confidence flowing again, but Joey Barton and his players are still searching for solutions.
Dreadful run extends but big calls went against Gas
There is no getting away from it, four successive defeats is a terrible run, even with the mitigating factors taken into account. The aggregate scoreline over that time is 10-1 against, summing up the struggles that have been felt across the pitch.
For reasons we will get into in a moment, this defeat was not quite like the others and there were more reasons for optimism, but the slump continues and Rovers have slipped to 14th in the table. At the start of the season, that position and 37 points at this stage would have been welcomed by most if not all Gasheads fresh off the back of a promotion, but there is a sense of disappointment because Rovers are performing well short of the high standards they set for themselves in their best moments earlier in the campaign.
At times, it feels like they cannot get out of their way and that is being compounded by not getting the rub of the green – as so often happens when form and confidence dip. Footage and still images suggest Loft was hard done by to see red for his clash with goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, with the stray elbow making no contact with the head or face, but at the same time he could have been cuter and not given the referee a decision to make by colliding with the keeper, given the protection they are afforded by officials.
On either side of that were a couple of calls in the penalty area in front of the Stacey West Stand where the 500-plus Gasheads were situated. Firstly, Lincoln seemed to benefit greatly when James Connolly was left on the deck in a heap by Ben House before Poole stole in to head the Imps into the lead. The highlights confirm Rovers were hard done by there.
Late in the second half, Aaron Collins appeared to be bundled over by Adam Jackson in the same 18-yard box. No video footage of that has emerged yet, but it looked like a credible claim live.
So Rovers do have fair reasons to be disgruntled, but they need to take care of their own business better, too. This was an improved showing and their application was commendable, but there is still plenty that needs to improve.
Second-half switches gave Gas hope
Barton deserves criticism for Rovers' recent form which has seen them slump into the bottom half after a superb run before Christmas. Defensively – all season in truth – they have been below par and the goals have suddenly dried up in the past four games.
He has a big job to get the Gas back on track, although there are positives to take forward from this defeat.
Rovers were not playing particularly well before the red card, but Barton did make shrewd changes afterwards which did give the Gas a chance of rescuing something from the game. In sacrificing Josh Coburn and Luke McCormick at half time, Harry Anderson and Scott Sinclair brought width to attack with as well as cover for the full-backs as Rovers settled into two banks of four with Collins leading the line alone.
Lincoln have a bizarre home record packed with 11 draws and the Gas were able to frustrate the Imps and the home crowd in the second half, surviving for a period before putting the pressure on in the closing stages.
The introduction of Lamare Bogarde brought an increase in impetus in possession and John Marquis was a strong presence up top, but ultimately a dogged performance in difficult circumstances earned no reward.
A niggly afternoon
There was plenty of needle between the teams throughout the day, starting with Loft's dismissal with several Lincoln players doing everything they could to influence a decision in their favour – as any team would to be fair.
Tensions were steadily boiling throughout the contest with both teams taking exception to the actions of the other at differing points. That continued after the game with a few confrontations on the pitch, with players being wisely dragged away from each other to prevent the situation from spilling over.
It appeared these confrontations continued into the tunnel, with stewards seen running to that area at one point. Soon after, when Barton emerged for his press conference, he was heard airing some choice words in the direction of Lincoln midfielder Ethan Erhahon during a local radio interview. The Rovers boss was not happy about a shove from the 21-year-old in the aftermath of the game.
Barton later intimated the Gas would submit video footage to the authorities which they believe shows Lincoln defender Lewis Montsma elbowing Connolly.
Captain Collins
With Paul Coutts out through illness and Sam Finley suspended for three games, Barton handed the captain's armband to someone new. James Connolly has worn it before, but on Saturday he plumped for Collins to be the man to lead out the team at Sincil Bank.
A proud moment for a player who spent time in the club's academy, although the afternoon ended in yet more frustration after a difficult month.
Nonetheless, he showed the hallmarks of a leader by example. Firstly, in the literal sense, he ploughed a lone furrow up top after Loft's red card and Coburn's withdrawal left him short of attacking support, and the 25-year-old plugged away admirably as the figurehead of an undermanned team, with his selfless pressing efforts causing a few moments of panic in the home defence.
But it was clear Collins – undisputedly Rovers' talisman this season – was also taking the situation by the scruff of the neck, determined to salvage a result for his team. On another day, he would have rescued something, with a credible penalty appeal turned down in the closing stages.
With Finley still banned and Coutts struck down by a nasty bug, there is every chance Collins is tasked with the captaincy again on Tuesday when Ipswich Town visit the Mem. Again, that will be a proud moment as he leads his team out, but he will be desperate to back it up with a result that ends this dismal run for the Gas.
Something to build on but danger remains
Frustration abounded for Barton, his players and Gasheads alike in the wake of another defeat as a dreadful run continued, but unlike in recent results, there are elements of this performance that can be the foundation for something better.
Although this was far from their most efficient performance in possession, they defended with purpose and got bodies forward. The backline should take confidence from not conceding when they were down to 10 men, and Lincoln were limited to little in the way of clear chances for the majority of the game.
Players advanced their claims for selection, with Bogarde putting in another bright little cameo and Harry Anderson's 45 minutes was his best performance in months; he ought to be in starting contention for Tuesday as a result.
Of course, third-placed Ipswich is a very difficult game to face up to after five consecutive losses in all competitions. But for all their investment, there are imperfections. By their promotion-chasing standards, Kieran McKenna's side have been on a poor run and they have lost significant ground on the top two.
As a result, pressure will be on both sides on Tuesday. Rovers need to end this woeful succession of results sharpish, because although 37 points is a very respectable total at this stage for a newly-promoted side, the form is a big red flag and with 16 games to go, there is plenty to be done to get past the 50-point barrier with the buffer to the relegation zone shaved to nine points.
But Rovers can prey on Ipswich's situation, too. Looking at the form table, they will be expected to win with some ease by their supporters on Tuesday. But the Mem can be a very difficult place to play and if the Gas can engage the crowd with a solid start under the lights in BS7, they will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds.
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