Pic: Andrew Vaughan
ELLIOTT WHITEHOUSE'S first half goal against Wrexham was enough to send ten-man Lincoln City top of the National League on Tuesday night.
Forest Green Rovers' nine-point lead at the top has evaporated in the space of two weeks and the Imps' midweek victory over visiting Wrexham saw them take top spot.
Danny Cowley's side had the opportunity to go ahead early on after big striker Matt Rhead was fouled in the area by Red Dragons defender Kai Edwards.
Loanee keeper Luke Coddington, however, did well to keep Rhead's spot-kick out, much like he did at the weekend to deny Forest Green's Darren Carter.
The Imps didn't have to wait long for their goal, though, as England C man Whitehouse got his name on the scoresheet.
The north Wales outfit failed to deal with a Nathan Arnold corner and the ball ran for Whitehouse, who found the back of the net via a deflection in the 14th minute.
Cowley's men had to do things the hard way, however, after centre-back Sean Raggett saw red for a challenge on visiting skipper Rob Evans in the 28th minute.
Whitehouse's first-half effort proved to be enough in the end as the Imps extended their unbeaten run to 14 games to climb to the top of Non-League's top tier at the half-way stage of the season.
