LINCOLN and Exeter played out an entertaining goalless draw at Sincil Park in the first leg of the League Two play-off semi-final.
Grecians goalkeeper Christy Pym starred between the sticks for Paul Tisdale’s side, as the Imps failed to convert one of their many opportunities.
The home side were pressing right from the off, with Matt Green forcing Pym into a smart stop, before skipper Luke Waterfall powered a header just over the bar.
Exeter then spurned a great chance in the 19th minute, with Ryan Harley evading two challenges before being denied by Ryan Allsop from ten yards out.
Lincoln fans were then left incensed with Ben Toner after the referee waved away two penalty appeals in quick succession, as Elliott Whitehouse and Matt Rhead were bundled over.
Jayden Stockley then threatened to put the visitors ahead, first narrowly missing the ball from six yards out, before he missed the target when racing clear on goal.
Immediately after the break, Pym showed why he was named as Exeter’s Player of the Season after remarkably keeping out Green’s strike from nestling in the far corner.
The 23-year-old then denied Green yet again in the 50th minute with his legs, with Whitehouse blazing the rebound over the top with the goal at his mercy.
Lincoln were ramping up the pressure, and thought they had netted the opener in the 59th minute, but Rhead’s header cannoned off the bar.
It was then Allsop’s turn to be called into question, as he made a expert double save – first keeping out Harley, before recovering to deny Jake Taylor.
Stockley then found the back of the net with a clinical finish, but the ex-Bournemouth striker was penalised for a clear push on his marker.
Lincoln pushed for a late winner, but couldn’t break the deadlock leaving it all to play for at St James Park next Thursday.
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