THIRD DIVISION PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL
The Terriers produced a great comeback and it was a late strike by Rob Edwards which booked their place in the Third Division final where they will meet either Mansfield or Northampton who play tonight.
Lincoln, who trailed 2-1 from the first leg, put themselves in the driving seat with goals from Richard Bailey and Mark Butcher in the space of a minute in the first half. However, a penalty on the hour mark from Danny Schofield levelled the tie before Edwards' strike seven minutes from time.
Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson hailed Edwards' late winner as the 'most important goal he'll ever score' and admitted it was a nervy showing from his men in the first half.
"It was a fantastic finish by Rob," he said. "I'm so pleased for him. He's been really patient this season with injuries and suspensions, but he was outstanding in midfield during this game. He's scored the most vital goal of his career.
"It capped an excellent comeback as we could have been 4-0 down at half time. I was extremely disappointed. I said it would take a mighty achievement to get back in the game, but we did it. At 2-0 down I could see all the clichés in the papers 'Town freeze again' it was another massive crowd we played in front of - but this time the lads responded."
Nearly 19,500 packed into the McAlpine Stadium, but the majority were silenced when Butcher put the visitors in front after 38 minutes. A mix-up between Town keeper Paul Rachubka and Efe Sodje allowed him to tuck the ball into an empty net.
It got worse for Town seconds later when a fierce volley by Bailey from the edge of the box doubled the Imps' lead. However, it took a controversial penalty award from referee Mike Pike to give the hosts a lifeline after an hour.
He adjudged that Jamie McCombe tripped Andy Booth in the box and Schofield held his nerve to leave things all square on aggregate.
The game swung both ways but when Booth got the ball stuck under his feet on the edge of the area Edwards lashed the ball home first time to leave Alan Marriott stranded. It also left Imps boss Keith Alexander fuming with Pike at the final whistle.
"I'm disappointed with the decisions," he said. "I've been at the club for two years now and I don't think I've had a decision go our way. I've been watching the replays again on the television and it was a diabolical penalty decision.
"The ref didn't give it and he's two yards away. But the linesman gives it and then the ref gives it. I feel sorry for the supporters. At half time we were 2-0 up and coasting. Obviously then it's who wants to get the first goal and with 20,000 people it makes a difference - 2-0 is the most dangerous lead to have in football."
