Sackings, thrashings and penalty drama: How Sunderland have fared in their last five games against Lincoln City

But how have the Black Cats fared against The Imps in their last five fixtures against them? Here, we take a look:

Sunderland 1-1 Lincoln City – March 20, 2021

Lincoln City prevented Sunderland from closing the gap to the top two after a draw at the Stadium of Light during the last fixture between the two sides.

The Imps had won just one of their previous seven, whilst the Black Cats were attempting to pick up an eighth win from nine League One games.

Indeed, Sunderland could have gone level on 66 points with second-placed Peterborough United, who went on to gain automatic promotion, if they had held on for the win.

Callum Morton's second-half equaliser canceled out Callum McFadzean’s opening goal five minutes before the break.

Sunderland 1-1 Lincoln City – February 17, 2021

Sunderland clinched a trip to Wembley after dispatching Lincoln City in the Papa John's Trophy semi-final earlier in the year.

The Black Cats defeated Lincoln – who were League One leaders at the time – on penalties to reach a second EFL Trophy final in the three seasons.

Charlie Wyke's 22nd goal of the season took the semi-final to a shootout after Anthony Scully's tap-in put Lincoln ahead.

And Sunderland held their nerve in the shootout and scored all five of their spot-kicks

Lincoln City 0-4 Sunderland – December 12, 2020

Lincoln City were flying high in second place when Sunderland – then languishing in eighth – visited Sincil Bank.

But it was a joyous result for the newly appointed Lee Johnson as the Black Cats thrashed their League One rivals.

The Imps missed two golden chances early on through Brennan Johnson which proved costly.

Sunderland took the lead when Grant Leadbitter scored from the spot before Charlie Wyke steered the ball home for the Wearsiders’ second.

Diamond produced a classy finish for the Black Cats’ third before Wyke grabbed his second to conclude the rout.

Sunderland 3-1 Lincoln City – January 4, 2020

Sunderland, then under the stewardship of Phil Parkinson, claimed a first home win since the start of November.

Three first-half goals were enough to secure a 3-1 victory over Lincoln in League One and leave the Black Cats in ninth position.

Tom Flanagan headed home Chris Maguire's corner before Lynden Gooch pressure forced Michael Bostwick into an own goal.

Gooch then raced on to Jon McLaughlin's long clearance over the Lincoln defence to calmly slot home Sunderland’s third.

Harry Anderson outmuscled Denver Hume in the area and drilled in a low shot that Tyler Walker turned home from close range but it proved to just a consolation goal.

Lincoln City 2-0 Sunderland – October 5, 2019

Tyler Walker scored a brace - and missed a penalty - as Lincoln City inflicted Sunderland’s second loss of the season in the league.

The result left the Wearsiders in sixth position in League One piled the pressure back on Black Cats boss Jack Ross, who eventually paid the price.

Indeed, the Scot was just sacked days later having only lost 10 in 75 games whilst in charge of the at the Stadium of Light but too many draws meant that Ross had to go.

He was replaced by Parkinson.

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