Cardiff City lose League One top spot after second-half Lincoln City blitz

Cardiff City suffered defeat against their League One title rivals race as Lincoln City stunned them with a clinical second-half display at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Goals from Rob Street and substitute Dom Jefferies secured a 2-0 victory for the visitors and sent Lincoln to the summit of the table, leapfrogging Cardiff in the process.

The result also ended the Bluebirds’ impressive home league run, with this their first defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium since the loss to Burton Albion back in September.

With just 11 games remaining in the promotion battle, might this result represent a significant shift in momentum at the top of League One?

Cardiff had started the afternoon as favourites but struggled to find rhythm in a cagey opening spell. Lincoln’s physical approach, particularly through Tom Hamer’s long throws, repeatedly caused problems for the home side early on.

The visitors carved out the first clear chance when a defensive header dropped kindly for Ben House, but the forward fired wide from the edge of the area.

Cardiff gradually grew into the contest and produced their first moment of real quality midway through the half. Ollie Tanner cut inside from the left flank and curled a superb effort towards the top corner, only for Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens to produce a stunning save to tip it over.

Rubin Colwill soon tested Wickens again with a powerful low strike from distance which the keeper could only parry, before the Imps defence scrambled clear the follow-up.

Despite that brief spell of pressure, Cardiff struggled to create sustained attacking momentum and the sides went in level at the break.

The game turned decisively in Lincoln’s favour 10 minutes after the restart.

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