Lincoln came from behind to beat Derby County 2:1 in the League Cup Round of 128 on Friday night at the iPro Stadium. The visitors opened the scoring through Benjamin House in the third minute before Dominic Jefferies doubled their advantage just before the quarter-hour mark. Samuel Szmodics pulled one back for Derby on the stroke of half-time, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.
Derby dominated possession with 71 per cent of the ball, yet Lincoln created more clear-cut opportunities. The visitors registered two big chances against zero for the home side, and their expected goals tally of 1.27 told a different story from the 0.37 recorded by Derby. Five shots on target for the hosts produced just one goal, while Lincoln converted their threat more efficiently.
By then, Derby had already seen two players booked. Adam Reach picked up a yellow card in the 32nd minute, followed by Lewis Travis two minutes later. Both warnings came in a period when the visitors were comfortable in their lead and the hosts were beginning to grow frustrated. House also received a caution after the break, suggesting the match had grown edgy.
The substitutions told you something about the shape of the game. Derby brought on Matthew Clarke in the 46th minute and Oscar Fraulo after the hour, while Lincoln responded by bringing on Jefferies in the 67th minute, which does not quite make sense given he had already scored. Draper and Szmodics were replaced in the second half, with Reach coming off late as Derby poured forward.
Derby threw everything at Lincoln in the final stages. They completed 538 passes to Lincoln's 218 and launched 26 crosses in search of an equaliser. But the visitors defended deep and cleared 31 balls, while their goalkeeper made two saves to keep a clean sheet. The old head of the Lincoln side settled them down when it mattered.
What it means for both clubs remains to be seen. Derby have not won since their opening game of the season, and this result extends that run to five matches without victory. Lincoln, meanwhile, showed they can compete against higher-ranked opposition and will take confidence from a result that was built on efficiency rather than dominance.