Holdsworth pleased with Anyon's attitude after exile from Lincoln City first team

David Holdsworth has lavished praise on Joe Anyon for not sulking about his exile from Lincoln City's first team as he hailed the goalkeeper's "impeccable" attitude.

The former Port Vale stopper was in brilliant form in Tuesday night's 2-0 win against Southport as the Imps sealed their first win in 2012.

Impressing: Joe Anyon has been on good form

Anyon had lost his place to Gateshead's Paul Farman after he was sent off in Holdsworth's first game in charge at Alfreton in the FA Cup.

He was subsequently hit with a two-week fine and then had to make do with a place on the substitutes' bench until regaining his place at the turn of the year.

But rather than throw a strop during his period of inaction, Anyon, who will look to maintain his form at Kettering on Saturday, has delighted Holdsworth with his attitude.

"I can't speak highly enough of Joe and maybe there were a few fans who thought I had pre-conceived ideas about him," he said.

"That was not the case with anybody and I explained that to the players the first minute I stepped through that door.

"Joe took a two-week fine on the chin, he got his head down and worked extremely hard.

"He has had the discipline and for me he has certainly grown in stature.

"His voice is very good and he knows what's right and wrong.

"He's been impeccable and with him in goal we will keep a lot of clean sheets."

Anyon's excellent form comes at a time when the Imps have become upwardly mobile following two fine performances at Gateshead and then against Southport.

It has left them five points clear of the relegation zone, but Holdsworth who is looking for a second successive win against the Poppies, admits there is still room for improvement.

"We can get better and we will get better," he said.

"On Tuesday night against Southport, and as manager, I felt we could have been out of sight.

"But I felt we played very well, although there are areas that we can improve on without a doubt."

Lincoln will travel to Kettering on Saturday with serious concerns over their strikeforce with Sam Smith, Jamie Taylor and Francis Laurent all ruled out.

That leaves Richard Pacquette as City's only forward option although Holdsworth is looking to strengthen the squad.