The points were shared in an evenly contested game at Butlin Road last Saturday, with David Kolodynski’s strike cancelling out the visitors’ opener in the dying moments of the first period.

Kolodynski’s 56th minute equaliser ended a goal drought of more than eight and a half hours for the record breaking striker, and came as a just reward for his side against a well-drilled United outfit.

Valley boss Gary Mills made three changes from the previous game – a defeat at Basford, restoring himself in the centre of midfield in place of Rob Parker, with Ryan Walker also back from injury at full-back and new keeper Jamie McAlindon handed his debut.

Town’s Danny Clifton put his first time volley at Lincoln stopper Sam Vince after just two minutes, before McAlindon was also in action early on in getting down well to push away a low strike by Daniel Brooks.

Callum Powell then twice sent efforts off-target, whilst Paul Grimes should have done better for United with a chance at the far post.

With the half-time whistle approaching, a typical Kolodynski acrobatic overhead attempt bobbled past the post, but there was still time for Sean Wright to give his side an interval lead when he popped up at the back post to head home Brooks’ searching free-kick past McAlindon via the goal-frame.

Powell put another shot wide, as the hosts started the second half brightly, and the scores were soon level when a quick Mills’ free-kick saw Kolodynski break down the middle to lift the ball over Vince’s head and into the net.

Lincoln rallied after the equaliser, with Matthew Cotton’s powerful shot well-blocked by Tom Ryan, whilst at the other end Vince was at full stretch to keep out Ryan Walker’s goalbound strike after the defender had surged forward with purpose.

Vince also kept out a deflected shot by sub Parker, with Ryan again in watchful form to cut-out a dangerous Wright cross – as both sides tried in vain to snatch a late winner.

Valley Line-up: McAlindon; Walker (Mullarkey), Kelly, Rowley, Ryan; Clifton (Thompson), Warburton, Mills (Parker), Towers; Kolodynski, Powell. Subs not used: Holloway, Cooper. Booked: Towers.

Lincoln line-up: Vince, Wright, Gibson, McGovern, Jacklin, Batchelor, Duncum, Brooks, Ruthven, Grimes, Cotton. Subs: Ward, Smith, Toyne, McDaid, Townsend.