Skegness Town's failure to kill off a side when they are in control again cost them points on Saturday, as they drew 1-1.

Lincoln United Reserves should have been dead and buried before half-time, but some woeful finishing, coupled with some excellent goalkeeping, let them off the hook.

The visitors were then guilty of missing some gilt-edged chances early in the second half before snatching a last gasp equaliser.

Indeed there was hardly time to restart the match before referee David Scoot blew the final whistle after United's Christopher Gray had swivelled in the area to level the scores.

"Time and time again this season we have failed to finish games off when we are on top," said a frustrated co-boss Steve Appleby. "We have again been punished for not taking our chances."

Town gave a debut to Bradley Murrell in goal. Jamie Waters returned to the centre of defence after Jack Smith's departure, while Dan Starkey, who missed the Sleaford defeat because of work commitments, started on the bench.

Ashley Murrell opened the scoring for Skegness, heading home from close range from a corner in the 11th minute.

Bradley Murrell was rarely troubled during the first half as the visitors' passing let them down. An overhead kick from Gray and Chris Funnell's long range effort were easily gathered.

At the other end Lincoln keeper Craig Turner saved well from Appleby.

In the 39th minute Michael Howard should have doubled Town's lead, but Turner dived to his left to pluck the ball out of the air.

After the break United were much sharper and chances began to fall their way. Lee Johnson was inches wide of the far post after Akpoveta's long throw was headed across his own goal by Skegness skipper Joby Gowshall.

Gray should have done better when he carved an opening for himself, but shot tamely from 12 yards and Johnson missed another sitter as chances fell thick and fast.

A mistake by Ben Chapman set up Booth on the left, but he fired over from 15 yards with the goal gaping.

Town were not without their chances and Murrell was expected to have done better with a far post header from Chapman's cross. Then a great last gasp tackle from Funnell denied Liam Papworth as he was about to pull the trigger.

Gradually Skegness stemmed the flow and things evened out with a 25-yard free kick from Dixon that stung Turner's fingers.

Town needed the second goal to give them some breathing space and it appeared to have arrived in the 83rd minute when Papworth broke clear, but Turner was equal to it and kept the scores level.

United left themselves exposed at the back as they pushed for the equaliser and this allowed Adam Shinn to race from his own half with just Turner to beat, but he lifted his shot over the bar.

In the fourth minute of injury time United won a corner on the left. Helped on from the edge of the area, the ball dropped kindly for Gray, who spun to fire into the bottom corner.

LILYWHITES: B. Murrell, Howland, Chapman, Shinn, Gowshall, Waters, A. Murrell, Dixon, Howard, Appleby, Papworth, Subs: Starkey, Etches, Parnham.

On Saturday Skegness travel to Louth United's Marshlands ground at Saltfleetby for a league fixture (kick-off 2pm).