Mikkel Ladefoged scored his first goal in English football to secure Lincoln a deserved late point against Southampton as they battled to a 1-1 draw with one of the Championship promotion favourites. Welington had also notched his first effort for the Saints on the stroke of half-time and his thunderbolt looked likely to be good enough for the points at the ProAmpac Stadium before the Imps’ record signing struck at the death. Lincoln handed a first league start to defender Andrei Coubis and the Romanian almost enjoyed an incredible opening to the match, seeing a shot blocked inside 10 seconds after the Imps’ ‘up-and-under’ kick-off caused panic among the Saints defence. His rebounded shot found its way to Rob Street, whose header was deflected behind for a corner, from which Coubis then headed straight at keeper Daniel Peretz.
City striker Freddie Draper dragged a shot narrowly wide from 25 yards after five minutes, with Saints winger Kuryu Matsuki’s curler then finding the gloves of home stopper George Wickens. Street found space in the Saints box and nearly squeezed a shot inside the near post, with Peretz getting down quickly to smother his effort. James Ward-Prowse was handed his first league start upon his return to Southampton, but the set-piece specialist fluffed his first free-kick from 30 yards, pulling a low shot well wide of the target. Indeed, it was City creating the best chances and 27 minutes in, Adam Reach nodded an Ivan Varfolomeev cross just over the bar.
Ben House missed a golden opportunity from six yards out after Reach’s crossfield pass found Coubis on the right flank, but his pinpoint cross to House was met with a swipe at thin air and the chance went begging. House headed Street’s cross over before Southampton struck in the 44th minute. There looked to be no danger when Welington received the ball from Ward-Prowse 25 yards out, but he unleashed a rocket that arrowed into the top corner. City responded with Peretz’s flying saving denying Draper as the half came to an end.
Southampton should have doubled their lead bang on the hour mark, but Leo Scienza’s curling effort hit Wickens’ left-hand post and bounced across the line to the other post and then into the grateful keeper’s arms. Coubis had a chance to level after 77 minutes when sub Ladefoged’s knockdown from Wickens’ free-kick dropped perfectly for him, but he blazed his effort well over. Imps sub Chieo Ogbene was then put into the clear by Ladefoged, but fired a shot straight at Peretz, who saved with his legs, with Draper heading the corner just over the bar. Ladefoged this time fired over as the Imps poured forward in the closing stages and the pressure finally told when the big Dane nodded home fellow Reeco Hackett’s inch-perfect cross in the 87th minute to rescue a point.
