Mark Cullen took his goal tally for the season to 32 as Hull City Juniors overcame Lincoln City 2-1 at Winterton on Saturday.

With an injury list consisting of Danny East, Lee Wright, Sonny Bradley, Tom Bennett, Joe Cooper and Ray Ford, Billy Russell was forced to make use of the Tigers under 16s squad. Jordan Holt stepped up to partner Danny Wilkinson in the middle of defence, whilst Lewis Clarkson and Fraser Paprill were included on the bench. Fran McCaffery, the latest Tigers recruit from Ireland, lined up on the right side of midfield.

It was Lincoln who created the early chances with Sam Turner forcing Bill Ward into a good low save and Rob Brewer shooting straight at the Tigers keeper.

Danny Emerton had the Tigers' first chance when he seized upon a poor clearance, but he curled his left foot shot over the bar.

The Tigers took the lead in the 23rd minute when Gavan Holohan's shot was blocked by Cullen. With the Lincoln defence appealing in vain for offside, the City top scorer turned and struck a left foot shot into the net.

However, the visitors were level from the re-start. Joe Fox, in attempting to let the ball run for a goal kick, was adjudged to have fouled James Wilson. It was Wilson who took the penalty and although Ward blocked it and the follow up, the Imps player was successful at the third attempt.

The Tigers regained the lead in the 38th minute but it was a bittersweet moment. Cullen's brave tackle won the ball which fell to McCaffery. His right foot drive took a slight deflection off Connor Fitzpatrick which took it beyond the reach of Imps keeper Nick Draper and into the bottom corner. However, in making the tackle Cullen received a gash just above the left knee and he was stretchered off and taken to hospital.

Half Time: Hull City Juniors 2 Lincoln City Juniors 1

The Tigers had a good chance to increase their lead at the beginning of the second period when Conor Townsend's free kick found Paprill unmarked at the far post, but the substitute shot wide.

Richard Overment then did well on the left and found Townsend whose neat footwork created a shooting chance but he stabbed his shot wide of the far post.

The Imps almost levelled on the hour mark when Arran Brookbanks was sent through and although he beat Ward at the edge of the box, Dean Deagle got back to block his goalbound shot.

Draper then held a Holohan header and produced a good save to push over Paprill's shot after Holohan had set up the chance.

When the Imps won a free kick out on the left it was taken by Karl Cunningham, Turner returned the ball into the box from the right and it was Cunningham arriving at the back post who saw his shot well blocked by Ward.

Another Townsend free kick struck Paprill at the back post with Draper dropping on the ball to save, whilst substitute Reece Thompson struck a right foot shot wide for the visitors.

However, the Tigers held out for the three points to take them top of the the Youth Alliance North East Conference table following York's defeat at Grimsby.

Hull City: Bill Ward, Joe Fox, Dean Deagle (Jules Gabbadini 70), Danny Emerton, Danny Wilkinson, Jordan Holt, Fran McCaffery, Gavan Holohan, Mark Cullen (Fraser Paprill 38), Richard Overment (Lewis Clarkson 86), Conor Townsend.

Subs Not Used: Olly West, Joel Shortland.

Lincoln City: Nick Draper, Kieran Heap (Dan Coupland 90), Jack Thomas, Karl Cunningham, Connor Fitzpatrick, Greg Enstone, Sam Turner, Arran Brookbanks, Nathan Adams, Rob Brewer (Reece Thompson 67), James Wilson (Jake Gibson 54).

Subs Not Used: Kerry Nicholas, Jack Davies.