Lincoln secured their first League One win of 2023 as they plunged Stanley deeper into relegation trouble with a 3-0 victory at the Wham Stadium.

The Imps last won a league game on November 19, but the game turned their way in three second-half minutes.

Lincoln enjoyed a strong start, forcing goalkeeper Toby Savin into a couple of saves before taking the lead after 24 minutes.

Teddy Bishop fed the ball to Ben House in the area and he made space for himself before firing home.

The visitors made it two in the 55th minute when Regan Poole’s strike was blocked by Doug Tharme, the ball looped up and Sean Roughan hooked it into the net.

Stanley were reduced to 10 men a minute later when Harry Perritt was sent off for bringing down last man Olamide Shodipo just outside the area.

From the resulting free-kick after 58 minutes, Bishop curled the ball into the far corner of the net for 3-0, easing the Imps’ bottom-four worries.

Stanley’s Tharme was stretchered off in added time following a clash of heads, which meant the Reds ended the game with nine men.

John Coleman said: “I did a talk in hospitality before the match saying, no matter what our players will run themselves into the ground. We didn’t do that.

“We didn’t compete enough, tackle with intent, the couple of good chances we had were rare, our passing was atrocious and we were second best from start to finish.

“If 8/9 players have an off day you have no chance of winning the game. We have 20 games left to play, plenty of points to play for, but it is a worrying time.”

He added: “Doug is groggy and has gone to hospital. We have six central defenders missing, which is a concern. We need to go and get a result on Tuesday at Port Vale.”