I thought the 3-0 win at Kings Lynn was possibly the best performance of the season.

All that changed last night as Matt Cotton's two strikes sealed a win that has to be up there with the best.

We need to put this game into perspective.

Buxton sit third in the Premier League and have a clutch of players who have plied their trade in the ranks of professional football.

The Gaffer's side had to play the last half hour with ten men after Jordan Lemon was sent off for a mystifying second bookable offence.

Yet the grit, class and pure fighting spirit shown by the Gaffer's men proved just how far they have come this season.

In the first 30 minutes of the game the Whites created six good goal scoring opportunities and bullied Buxton in that period.

The visitors did have a golden chance to take the lead on 25 minutes but their striker screwed his shot wide when clean through.

However a free kick ten minutes later was clipped into the box and was glanced in by Tim Ryan against the run of play to give the visitors the lead.

When you go a goal down the best thing to do is score at the other end and that's exactly what young Matt Cotton did as he latched on to a Jason Field pass to equalise.

Just before the break it was that man Cotton again who fired a shot past the Buxton keeper to give his side the lead.

I have to say that was one of the best attacking moves I have seen at Ashby Avenue involving a host of Dave Frecklington's young guns.

The second half saw a Buxton side begin to show their class and the alarm bells started ringing when Jordan Lemon was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Time to regroup. Sam Duncum filled in at full back and a 4-4-1 system was put in place.

Two more substitutes were sent into the fray. Sean Cann and Scott Ruthven joined the party.

What happened next was a master stroke from the Gaffer, or at least that's how I saw it.

Buxton began to build from the back because there was only on pressing Whites attacker in Sean Cann.

How was this problem solved? Let me explain. The ten men of Lincoln went 3-4-2 to cut out the Buxton build up from the back.

That's the first time I have seen that system played with 10 men. It worked.

Yes it meant taking a few chances at the back and yes it did open up opportunities for the opposition to counter on the break.

But the main thing it did show was the tactical know how of the Gaffer and the confidence he has in his players.

Buxton found nowhere to go and in fact Matt Cotton nearly bagged a third.

It was a great all round performance which warrants the praise heaped on the Whites.

There were no individual stars yet it was a star performance from a team full of quality and determination who work as a unit and play for the badge that is Lincoln United.

Thank you Buxton for playing the game in the right spirit. You are always welcome at The Sun-hat Villas.

Ps. A final note. I have been to many grounds since reporting on the team and I still believe the catering and service provided at Ashby Avenue is the best in the league.

Anyone who sampled that beautiful carrot soup last night, especially Adey and Maurice, will back me up on that one.

Well done everyone.

Peter Hayward.