Danny Cowley on what is behind Lincoln City's outstanding away record

Danny Cowley admits his side’s impressive away record is a great source of pride as he looks to take Lincoln City another step closer to League One.

Monday’s 1-1 draw at Mansfield saw the Imps stay 10 points clear of fourth place with just eight games left.

It also made it 36 points from 19 games away from Sincil Bank, comfortably the best away record in League Two.

“It’s down to the character in the group, the resilience and grit,” said Cowley ahead of his side’s trip to Crawley this weekend.

“You need certain characters to be consistently successful away from home. Our group has got that in abundance.

“You need that to stay in games which you have to do at times away from home when your backs are against the wall.

“It’s something we’re really proud of because your away form says something about you as people.”

But that away record will be tested by Saturday’s opponents.

The Reds are the only away side to win at Sincil Bank this season while they also took four points off City last season.

Cowley was at Crewe last weekend to see Gabriele Cioffi’s side lose 6-1, but insists the Reds were the better team for the first 35 minutes before the Alex ran riot with four goals in seven minutes before the break.

“We’ve done brilliantly away from home, but their [Crawley’s] home record is good,” said Cowley.

“Although they won at our place, it’s away from home where they’ve struggled.

“We’re under no illusions about what a tough game it is.

“It’s always difficult to go to Crawley, particularly after a tough game ourselves.

“They’ve had slightly more preparation time than we’ve had and the fact they lost 6-1 in their last game will make them a wounded animal, there’s no doubt about that.

“They’ve got good characters in their group and I’m sure there’ll come out fighting after that disappointment.”

The Imps will come up against a familiar face in striker Ollie Palmer, who left City for Crawley last summer in a bid to secure regular first-team football.

“They try to build from the back and they’ve got a lot of good technical players, as well as having pace and athleticism in forward areas,” added Cowley.

“And they’ve got Ollie Palmer who we know well. He’s had a really good season. He has led the line for them pretty much game in, game out and has a good goal record.”