No one wants promotion more than us – Lincoln boss Cowley

Posted Saturday, March 31, 2018 by PA

Danny Cowley insisted no-one wants to win promotion more than his Lincoln side after the Imps’ dramatic victory over Exeter.

Cowley’s side won a pulsating match 3-2 against their promotion rivals in front of Sincil Bank’s biggest crowd of the season of almost 10,000.

The Imps trailed to Jayden Stockley’s 10th minute header but quick-fire second half goals from Danny Rowe and Matt Green put the hosts 2-1 up.

Jake Taylor levelled for Exeter but substitute Ollie Palmer continued his habit of scoring after coming off the bench, hitting the winner in the 86th minute.

“It was a crazy game that had everything,” said Cowley.

“I was disappointed with the manner of Exeter’s goals. At 2-2, we were asked a question and I was really pleased with the answers the players found.

“I thought we showed a huge amount of resilience. We’ve got so much will. There’s not going to be a team in this league that wants it as much as we do.

“A lot of us have come from humble beginnings. To be in and around the promotion places in League Two has taken a lot of hard work.

“We’re really determined to get on the right side of the small margins.”

Cowley praised his players’ character after they recovered from the blow of Exeter’s equaliser and seeing Palmer having a goal harshly ruled out for a push soon after.

“The goal that wasn’t given was really frustrating. I’ve watched it back and there was nothing in it,” added Cowley.

“When that wasn’t given, you start thinking the luck isn’t with you. We needed to show a huge amount of resilience and discipline. I was really proud of the way we did that.

“Credit to Ollie again because he’s made such an impact.”

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale was not too downhearted despite the defeat, praising his players for playing their part in a thrilling contest.

“I’m not too disappointed to be honest,” he said. “I thought we played really well and it was a cracking game of football that didn’t quite go our way.

“Of course, I wanted to win that game as much as anyone but we had players missing and had the make a change half-an-hour before kick-off (Kane Wilson had to replace the ill Troy Archibald-Henville). We had quite a few players feeling sick unfortunately.

“Despite that we played really, really well and I’m leaving here quite upbeat. The players responded every step of the way to what happened in the game.

“I saw our supporters clapping them off at the end, so they obviously appreciated the players’ efforts.

“We appreciated them and they helped us along the way. All round, it was a good afternoon, other than the result of course.”