Lincoln head coach Chris Cohen heaped praise on predecessor Michael Skubala after Freddie Draper’s second-half goal against Bristol City gave the Imps bragging rights over their former boss.
Draper pounced to shoot into an unguarded net on 53 minutes after Rob Dickie’s miscued back-pass had been intercepted by Ben House, and the Imps defended their lead tenaciously to earn three battling points.
The match was marred by a serious second-half injury to Robins centre-back Dickie, who was carried off with a damaged knee and ankle on 72 minutes.
It was Lincoln’s second 1-0 away win in the space of four days following the same scoreline at Preston and a delighted Cohen was quick to pay tribute to the role Skubala played in building the team for Championship football as promotion-winners last season.
He said: “No one has done more than Michael to put us where we are today and we wish him nothing but the best in his job with Bristol City.
“First and foremost I want to send my best wishes to Rob Dickie. Having had serious injuries myself, it is the last thing I want to see happen to any player.
“Things are going well for us so far in the Championship, but we know there are many tough days ahead. What I know is that the character and resilience we have built with Michael’s help will help us at those times.
“It is pleasing that we have been able to change our back line and still keep a clean sheet. But the character shown on the pitch comes not only from the team and coaches, but everyone associated with our club, not least the supporters.
“We want to give them special memories, whether they have been fans for one year or fifty.”
Skubala anticipated a tough battle from his former charges, having led them to promotion, but was disappointed by his new team’s efforts after an encouraging start to the campaign.
He said: “We were not good enough tonight. We dealt well with their physicality, but in the second half we didn’t create enough.
“I have only seen Rob Dickie for a matter of seconds, but he says he felt something give as he twisted and, while we don’t know the extent of the damage yet, it looks a bad one affecting knee and ankle.
“I will go and see him again now and I expect he will go to hospital.
“We have gifted them their goal, no doubt about that. Playing out that way was unnecessary and it has cost us.
“We have only three days to wait for another home game, against Watford, and I think that is a good thing. We have to be better in that match.”
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