Towler’s Stoppage-Time Strike Rescues Lincoln at Huddersfield

What a night of drama at John Smith's Stadium! Lincoln City, the undisputed leaders of League One, showed exactly why they're top of the pile as they clawed back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. If anyone thought the Imps’ promotion chase would be a walk in the park, this contest proved otherwise, with a rollercoaster of emotions, a flurry of goals, and a finish that left the 1,700 travelling Lincoln fans in raptures.

It was Ryley Towler, the unlikely hero and substitute, who made the headlines with his first competitive goal for Lincoln City. Deep into stoppage time—93 minutes on the clock, to be precise—Towler pounced on a trademark Tom Hamer long throw, stabbing the ball into the net and sparking wild celebrations among the away supporters. The equalizer not only secured a precious point but also stretched Lincoln’s remarkable unbeaten League One run to 21 games. Talk about never-say-die spirit!

The night didn’t start nearly as promisingly for Michael Skubala’s side. Huddersfield Town, who came into the match sitting sixth in the table and eyeing a playoff surge, burst out of the blocks. The Terriers took the lead in the 15th minute courtesy of Ryan Hardie, who was celebrating his birthday in style. The move began with David Kasumu and saw Antony Evans slice open the Imps’ backline, threading a perfect ball through to Hardie. With the composure of a seasoned poacher, Hardie took a couple of strides and fired a low shot past George Wickens in the Lincoln goal. There was little Wickens could do as Huddersfield’s home crowd erupted.

Just four minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. This time, it was a throw-in from Sean Roughan that caused chaos in the Lincoln penalty area. The ball found its way to an unmarked Ryan Ledson near the spot, and he crashed home a right-footed effort—helped along by a Lincoln defender’s deflection. At 2-0, the Terriers looked to be in cruise control, and Lincoln’s unbeaten run suddenly seemed at real risk.

But this Lincoln side doesn’t know when it’s beaten. The response was swift and determined. After a spell of pressure, Tom Hamer’s long throw into the box in the 28th minute saw Josh Feeney, under pressure from Sonny Bradley, inadvertently head the ball past his own goalkeeper, Lee Nicholls. The own goal halved the deficit and gave the Imps a lifeline before halftime.

From there, Lincoln began to assert themselves. They dominated possession, finishing the match with 60.2% of the ball compared to Huddersfield’s 39.8%, and peppered the home goal with 18 shot attempts—seven of them on target. Jack Moylan was especially lively, testing Nicholls early and often, while Reach and Hamer also threatened from distance. Despite the pressure, Huddersfield’s defense held firm for much of the second half, with Nicholls making a crucial low save from Sonny Bradley’s header off a Tom Bayliss corner in the 64th minute.

Controversy wasn’t far away either. In the 68th minute, Rob Street’s shot was clearly blocked by Josh Feeney’s hand inside the Huddersfield area—TV replays made it obvious—but referee Ben Speedie waved away Lincoln’s penalty appeals and instead awarded a corner. The decision left the visiting players and fans fuming, and it looked for a moment as though Lincoln’s luck had truly run out.

But Skubala’s substitutions proved inspired. Alfie Lloyd, making his first start for the Imps, was replaced at halftime by Tom Bayliss, while further attacking reinforcements arrived in the form of Reeco Hackett and Ryan Oné. Ryley Towler came on for Adam Reach in the 73rd minute, and it was Towler who would ultimately have the final say.

As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time, another Tom Hamer long throw—fast becoming Lincoln’s secret weapon—caused panic in the Huddersfield box. The ball ricocheted around before falling perfectly for Towler, who lashed it home for his first competitive goal in Lincoln colors. The Imps’ bench and fans exploded with joy, and Huddersfield’s players could only look on in disbelief. According to PA Media, "Towler stabbed the ball into the net to send the 1,700 Imps fans wild."

The draw wasn’t just a testament to Lincoln’s resilience; it was also a statement of intent as they continue their march toward promotion. With 81 points from 38 games, the Imps remain five points clear at the top of League One, boasting a commanding 15-point gap over third place. Their promotion to the Championship now seems less a matter of if, and more a matter of when.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, will rue their missed opportunity. A win would have solidified their playoff ambitions, but they remain in the thick of the battle, now looking nervously over their shoulders at the chasing pack. The Terriers showed flashes of quality—especially in the opening 20 minutes—but ultimately couldn’t withstand Lincoln’s relentless pressure.

The match was not without its disciplinary moments, either. Towler, fresh from his heroics, picked up a yellow card in the aftermath of his goal at 90+3 minutes, while Huddersfield’s Cameron Humphreys was booked even later at 90+7. The tension and stakes were evident right up to the final whistle.

For Lincoln boss Michael Skubala, the result was another feather in his cap. Four changes to the starting XI, including giving Alfie Lloyd his first start, paid off with a gritty team performance. "The Imps never gave up, and the decisive moment came three minutes into time added on when a Hamer throw found its way to Towler who fired home," reported the club’s official website. The Imps’ ability to adapt and fight back, even on difficult away days, is what has set them apart this season.

Fans who missed the action can take solace in the fact that the match was broadcast live on Sky Sports+, bringing every twist and turn into living rooms across the country. For those in the stadium, though, it was a night they won’t soon forget—a night when Lincoln City’s promotion dream stayed firmly on track, thanks to a never-say-die attitude and a substitute’s moment of magic.

As the dust settles, Lincoln City’s unbeaten run rolls on. With just eight games remaining, their eyes are fixed firmly on the Championship, and if they keep producing performances like this, few would bet against them making that leap. Huddersfield, meanwhile, must regroup and refocus as the playoff race heats up. The League One title chase is far from over, but Lincoln’s grip at the top looks as strong as ever.