PREVIEW: Luton Town v Lincoln City

Now in their second season at this level, the Imps have struggled badly this campaign and still have the threat of relegation looming large.

After winning 4-2 at Dartford on December 8, the Imps looked to be heading in the right direction, but a horrific fun of form, with two wins, five draws and 10 defeats from 17 league games, has seen them plummet.

Manager David Holdsworth paid the price by losing his job, with one time assistant boss Gary Simpson taking over in February.

The new man has overseen a slight upturn in form though, with three wins in a row recently, including triumphs at Braintree and Alfreton, before a home draw with Cambridge.

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Kidderminster means with just thee games left, Lincoln are by no way safe, just two points above the drop zone.

Changes are being made with next season in mind as striker Rob Duffy left the club today, while full back Peter Gilbert recently joined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until the end of the season.

The Imps also brought in French forward Gomez Dali, who was most recently with Conference North outfit Droylsden, while Simpson was quick to snap up former Macclesfield defender Nat Brown.

Man in the middle: Rob Whitton - official has taken 22 games this season, showing 66 yellows and three reds so far.

Neither side have enjoyed great success under him with Luton losing 2-1 to Hyde and 5-2 at Newport, drawing 1-1 with Nuneaton, but beating Macclesfield 4-1 on his watch.

Meanwhile, Lincoln lost 2-1 at Cambridge and drew 1-1 at home with Gateshead under his command.

Top BSBP scorer: Hatters – Andre Gray (12). Imps – Jamie Taylor (12).

In charge: Gary Simpson. Made over 100 appearances for Stoke City during the 1970s before dropping into non-league with Boston United, Stafford Rangers, Weymouth and Altrincham.

His first managerial role came as player/manager at Gainsborough Trinity, before becoming Keith Alexander’s assistant boss at Ilkeston Town, Northwich Victoria, Lincoln City, Peterborough United and Macclesfield Town whilst also acting as a scout and coach during Alexander’s spell as director of football at Bury.

Became Macclesfield boss in March 2010, but was sacked in March 2012 and then returned to Lincon on February 27, following the departure of David Holdsworth and has led the club to four wins, two draws and four defeats from his opening 10 games.

One to watch: Jamie Taylor – 30-year-old forward is Imps leading scorer with 14 goals in all competitions this season.

A goal against Luton in October heralded a purple patch of eight in 10 games, but since then he has netted just three times in his last 21 appearances.

Well known to Town boss John Still, who signed Taylor while at Dagenham & Redbridge in March 2007 before releasing him.

Started life at Horsham and has been at Aldershot, Woking, Grays and Eastbourne before his move to Lincoln

We’ve got form: Hatters have traditionally enjoyed a fine home record over their opponents from Lincoln, with 12 wins from 17 games, drawing three and losing two.

In that time, Hatters have scored 44 goals and conceded 16 including keeping six clean sheets.

Luton haven’t lost at home since April 1999 when Lee Thorpe’s 61st minute winner settled a League Two clash.

Town’s biggest triumph was a 9-3 success in the old Division Two way back December 1897, while their heaviest defeat was three years later when Lincoln ran out 2-0 winners.

Last time out: Hatters picked up a 1-0 victory over Lincoln City at Kenilworth Road last season.

The hosts had to play for over an hour with 10 men after Dean Beckwith was shown a straight red for elbowing Kyle Perry, but an 84th minute goal from Stuart Fleetwood was enough for Town.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Dean Beckwith, Jake Howells, Will Antwi, Jamie Hand, Alex Lawless, Robbie Willmott (Aaron O’Connor 57), James Dance, Amari Morgan-Smith (John Paul Kissock 67), Danny Crow (Adam Watkins 46), Stuart Fleetwood.

Subs not used: Kevin Pilkington, Collin Samuel.

Attendance: 6,316.

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