Big Portsmouth favourite and former Bristol City man takes centre stage at shock story of English football
The League One title winner made his mark in dramatic fashion last night, with another third-tier winner’s medal in his sights.
It’s undoubtedly one of the surprise stories of the season in English football.
Lincoln City last night extended their lead at the top of League One to five points, as they came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town.
Former Pompey favourite heading towards another title success
Michael Skubala’s side made it an incredible 21 games unbeaten, with their advantage over Cardiff City growing following their home loss to Wycombe.
And the man salvaging the draw three minutes into stoppage time was none other than big former Pompey favourite Ryley Towler, who came off the bench to spark wild scenes of celebration for Imps fans.
The League One title winner headed home the leveller and then jumped into the away end amid jubilant scenes, picking up a yellow card in the process.
No one was talking about Lincoln as promotion contenders going into the season, but they’ve showed themselves to be the division’s class act with eight games remaining - and are now 1/1000 with the bookies to be playing Championship football next term.
Towler is the 20th different scorer for Skubala’s side, with former Fratton winger Reeco Hackett helping himself to eight goals and veteran former Blues defender Sonny Bradley also at Sincil Bank.
Towler revelled in his goal and is focussed on making it another memorable League One title success, following on from the 2023-24 second-tier victory at PO4.
He told Lincoln’s YouTube channel: ‘It (the late goal) shows the character we’ve got, to have a little moment to score the equaliser was special - I had to jump straight in the away end!
‘Since I’ve come in the supporters have been outstanding home and away.
‘To get a goal in front of them, I don’t score many so I had to enjoy it - I jumped in there and I’ll watch it back a few times.
‘I got a yellow card, but for a celebration like that I’ll take that all day.
‘I should have scored before that, but I’m glad to get my first goal for Lincoln and to do it in front of the away supporters was brilliant.
‘It shows credit to how well we’re doing.
‘Huddersfield set up with a low block, so it showed the respect they have for us. 'As long as we focus on ourselves and keeps doing what we’re doing, we’ll be fine.
‘You have to have a special group if you want to get promoted - and we have a special group. The boys are together on and off the pitch and we go into every game believing we’re going to win.
‘It’s something special and I feel like we’re going to get a result in every game.
‘It's only eight to go and every game is tough in their own way - but I’m sure we’ll go out thinking we will win every game.’