Lincoln City secured a hard-fought 1-0 away win against Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday. Freddie Draper scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute, assisted by defender Andrei Coubiș.
Paul Heckingbottom's Preston side were without key defenders Lewis Gibson and Chelsea loanee Caleb Wiley, handing Liam Gibbs his first start for the club. Former Preston players Adam Reach and Tom Bayliss both started for the Imps, with Reach playing at right-back.
The Lancashire Evening Post reported the team news, noting Jordan Thompson captained Preston and Andrew Hughes returned to the bench. Lincoln's victory, their second in five league games, lifts them to 19th in the Championship table. They now have five points from a record of one win, two draws and two losses.
Their next challenge is an away trip to face Bristol City on Tuesday, 15 September.
The win at Deepdale marks a positive response after a 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth in their previous outing. Draper's late intervention proved key in a tight contest where chances were limited for both sides.
