Jack Moylan was called the “magic man” by Lincoln boss Michael Skubala after the Irishman’s double secured a 2-1 League One victory over Burton.
Moylan scored in both halves, either side of Jake Beesley’s equaliser, as the Imps closed the gap on leaders Cardiff to three points and stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 matches.
“We call Jack the magic man as he finds these magic moments,” said Skubala.
“Sometimes in these tight games, you need that sort of individual. I thought his first goal was magnificent and the second one, he scores those types of goals all the time in training.”
Lincoln were far from their best but Skubala was happy with his side’s tenacity.
“It was a tough game, but we were just pleased to get the three points and we keep going,” he said.
“I thought we started a bit slowly and it was difficult to get into a rhythm.
“But it’s a really special group of players. They work hard all week and find a way to win.
“The pressure was on us as everyone expects us to win the game and so it was an important three points.”
Moylan created the opener out of nothing in the 35th minute, surging towards the visitors’ box and scoring from 25 yards via Bradley Collins’ left-hand post.
Burton levelled two minutes later as Jack Armer’s cross from the left was slammed home by an unmarked Beesley.
But 10 minutes after the break, Moylan slotted home the winner after goalkeeper Collins spilled Freddie Draper’s shot.
The disappointment was etched into Burton boss Gary Bowyer’s face as he thought his side deserved a least a point.
“The better team lost,” he said. “We had some great opportunities, but we haven’t had that quality.
“To come here and perform the way we did was a massive credit to the players. We had 12 missing, we were stretched and had two 17-year-olds on the bench.
“The way we performed was terrific, from the very first minute.
“Our reaction to their first goal was wonderful and we had a couple of great moments before that. We started well, but we didn’t threaten the goal as much as we would have liked.”
Bowyer claimed his side should have had a first-half penalty when Sonny Bradley looked to have hauled Kain Adom down in the box and reckoned if they had been second in the division they would have been given the decision.
He added: “All day long we would have been given that. You could argue it’s a red card as well as he’s pulled him back. I’ve seen the stills, I’ve seen it in real time and I saw what I saw.”
