Burnley 0-1 Lincoln: National League leaders earn famous FA Cup win

By Patrick Surlis

Lincoln secured a famous 1-0 win over Premier League side Burnley on Saturday as their fairy-tale FA Cup run continued at Turf Moor.

Sean Raggett headed past Tom Heaton in the 89th-minute to seal a remarkable victory for the Imps over a side 81 places above them in the football pyramid.

The National League leaders have become the first non-league club to reach the last eight of the FA Cup since Queens Park Rangers in 1914.

Image: Sean Raggett (centre) heads past Tom Heaton in the 89th-minute at Turf Moor

Burnley, who boast the third best home record in the Premier League, were restricted to half chances as Andre Gray and Scott Arfield went close before Raggett's winner.

The result means Lincoln take their place in the quarter-final draw on Sunday evening, having started their cup run with a replay win over Guiseley in October.

Advertisement

They have since dispatched Ipswich, Brighton and now Burnley on their way to the last eight of the competition.

Image: Lincoln's FA Cup run started in October against Guiseley

Sean Dyche made six changes from the Burnley team that drew with Chelsea and his side were fortunate not to fall behind after five minutes.

Also See:

The lively Nathan Arnold picked out the run of Jack Muldoon, only for the striker to fire over with Heaton to beat.

The hosts failed to heed that wake-up call and struggled to find their rhythm for much of the match, with Dyche forced into an early change when George Boyd replaced the injured Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

Gray and Joey Barton forced saves from Lincoln 'keeper Paul Farman in an even first half, while Arfield lashed over Burnley's final opportunity before the break.

Image: Lincoln will discover their quarter-final opponents on Sunday evening

An absorbing second half lacked clear-cut chances for either side as Lincoln duo Luke Waterfall and Raggett successfully shackled top scorer Gray.

The game looked set to be more notable for two flash-points involving Barton, who clashed with Matt Rhead and Alex Woodyard in quick succession as tempers frayed.

The former Rangers midfielder stepped on Rhead but escaped sanction before picking up a yellow card after appearing to scratch Woodyard across the face.

The Clarets pressed forward in the final 10 minutes with Lincoln seemingly happy to settle for a replay at Sincil Bank.

Image: Lincoln celebrate their winning goal in the final stages at Turf Moor

But the Imps, who were dangerous throughout from set pieces, snatched a dramatic winner in front of their 3,210 travelling supporters.

Waterfall kept a late corner alive and the former Dover Athletic defender nodded home, with Heaton batting the ball clear only after it had already crossed the line.

It was the visitors' first effort on target but they more than matched their top-flight opponents, with their focus now shifting to Sunday's quarter-final draw.

Outbrain