Wisbech so close to bringing home a point at new United Counties League Premier Division North leaders Lincoln United

Wisbech Town manager Luke Hipwell says Saturday's last-gasp defeat at Lincoln United is a measure of how far his side has come.

The Fenmen were undone by an injury time goal as they went down 3-2 at new leaders Lincoln United in the United Counties League Premier Division North.

Hipwell said: "Although it was gut-wrenching to lose in the fashion we did, I think today’s performance showed how far the group has come.

"Everyone was left gutted, however, encouraged by how we played and controlled spells of the game with and without the ball.

"I felt we started well and stuck to the game plan throughout. For the opening goal we countered brilliantly, a great goal from Amir (Ward), who I felt was the best player on the pitch.

"We then had to defend for a large part after this but continued to create chances. I felt they scored a decent goal to equalise, and then the game became even towards the end of the first half.

"I'm not sure on their penalty, I don’t think it was, I think the lad was already on the way down, Sam (Harris) has then got the ball and the referee has awarded the penalty on the sound of the contact.

"When talking to the lads at half time, it was about much of the same and to keep believing in themselves as we were unfortunate to be behind.

"I felt the second half started even, and then they started to have the better of it, with us having to make some crucial blocks.

"We then came back into the game and got the equaliser through a great ball by Ollie Williams who I felt was great when he came on, an excellent finish by Amir to match.

"As expected, they started to push for the winner in the last few minutes of the game. I felt in the most part we defended the box well but couldn’t manage to hold out - another learning curve for us as a group in terms of defending our box."

The Fenmen took a sixth-minute lead at Lincoln against a side undefeated in the league since November.

Efforts in the 20th and 45th minutes from Jack McMenemy and Ell Dye from the penalty spot saw the home side lead 2-1 at the break, but Ward’s fifth of the season made it 2-2 after 72 minutes.

However, The Whites went top of the league and broke Fenmen hearts with a headed winner by Henry Moore three minutes into added-on time.

The Wisbech boss felt his side could have easily been awarded two penalties.

"Two massive decisions impacted the game," he said.

"Ethan’s (Wilson) at 1-0 up was a nailed-on penalty, in my opinion. That would have given us the chance to go 2-0 up and would have massively changed the game.

"The incident with Rob (Conyard) was a little more contentious and would have resulted in their lad being sent off. They are the fine lines of football."

Wisbech will be looking anxiously over their shoulder next Saturday as they are without a game, and Hipwell wants his side to finish the season strongly.

"Moving forward, there is lots to be encouraged about, both on and off the pitch," he said.

"We are embedding a system of play, and the group are giving everything.

"It’s important that we have a strong finish to the season for two reasons.

"One is to cement our position in this league next year - we won’t rest on thinking we are okay - and secondly, we need to ensure we have momentum going into next season."

Wisbech: Lakin, Falcao, Barker, Harris, Mattless, Knowles, Harris, Wilson (Williams 59), Conyard, Bennett (Acheampong 83), Ward. Subs (not used): Nicholson, Hoyle, Young.