Lincoln City chase 29-game unbeaten run as champions visit relegated Port Vale

Key facts

• Lincoln City have been crowned League One champions with 100 points from 45 games.
• Port Vale were relegated last week after a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City.
• Lincoln are unbeaten in 28 league matches, the longest current run in the division.
• Port Vale beat promotion-chasing Stockport County 2-1 on Tuesday, their 10th league win.
• Lincoln have scored 87 goals and conceded 41, the best attacking and defensive records in League One.
• Reeco Hackett and Jack Moylan are joint top-scorers for Lincoln heading into the final day.
• Port Vale have beaten Lincoln only once in their last eight meetings across all competitions.

Champions seek historic unbeaten finish

Lincoln City travel to Port Vale on Saturday for the final day of the League One season with little at stake in the table but everything to play for in the record books. Already crowned champions and sitting on 100 points, Michael Skubala's side are chasing a 29th consecutive league match without defeat — a run that would set a new division benchmark. The Imps have not lost since a 1-0 victory over Port Vale in November, a result that kickstarted their remarkable sequence. Reeco Hackett scored the winner that day, a goal he later described as the catalyst for his scoring form after receiving the joint golden boot trophy at Lincoln's end-of-season awards. Skubala acknowledged that preparations have been different this week with promotion and the title already secured, but insisted his players have not relaxed in training. "We want to finish off on a high, so we will see a competitive team out there for sure," he said.

Port Vale's revival under Jon Brady

Port Vale enter the match already relegated, their fate sealed last week by a 1-0 loss to second-placed Cardiff City. Yet Jon Brady's side have shown signs of resilience, losing only twice in their last seven games since the manager took charge. Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Stockport County, a team chasing promotion, demonstrated their capacity to upset stronger opponents. Martin Sherif and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel scored in the first half to give Port Vale a 2-0 lead at Edgeley Park. Stockport pulled one back through Odin Bailey late on, but the Valiants held on. Brady called the result "really pleasing" and expressed hope of "finishing the season positively" against the champions. Port Vale also reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 this season, defeating Premier League side Sunderland along the way — a run that provided a rare highlight in an otherwise difficult campaign.

Unbeaten streak and golden boot subplot

Lincoln's 28-game unbeaten run is the longest in the division and one short of the League One record held by Luton Town. Skubala has made clear that extending the streak is a priority, even with the title already won. "We'd love to finish the season unbeaten, we've hit every target that we've set this season and this is another one for us to go for," he said. A secondary narrative involves Hackett and Jack Moylan, who are tied as Lincoln's top scorers heading into the final match. Skubala acknowledged the pair "might have a little competition going on" but stressed that the team's focus remains on the collective achievement. Moylan, reflecting on the season, called it "the best year of my life so far." Lincoln's attacking prowess — 87 goals in 45 games — and defensive solidity — just 41 conceded — have underpinned their dominance. The 4-3 win over Wycombe Wanderers last weekend, which featured a brace from Hackett and goals from Moylan and Tendayi Darikwa, pushed them past the 100-point mark for the first time in club history.

Team news and selection decisions

Port Vale welcomed George Byers and Ben Heneghan back from injury on Tuesday, with both players appearing as substitutes against Stockport. Byers could replace Rhys Walters in midfield, while Heneghan may start in defence ahead of Tyler Magloire. Jon Brady has options to rotate after the midweek victory. Lincoln are unlikely to make sweeping changes despite the dead rubber nature of the fixture. Skubala refused to be drawn on whether fringe players such as Kamil Conteh or Erik Ring would be given starts, citing the need to protect the unbeaten run. Rob Street is expected to lead the line once again. Andrew Humphries will referee the match, assisted by Drew Dutton and Aaron Hallam, with Thomas Harty serving as fourth official. Commentary will be provided by John Helm and Sam Habergham for the club's streaming service.

Stakes beyond the scoreline

For Lincoln, Saturday represents a chance to cap a historic campaign with a record that would stand as a testament to their consistency. Having already secured promotion, the title, and 100 points, the unbeaten run is the final target Skubala's squad have set themselves. "You could sense it around the group that the belief was there," Moylan said. "When you've got a great group of players and staff and a city that backs the football team, you know you can go and achieve something special." Port Vale, though relegated, have an opportunity to spoil the champions' party and end their own season on a high note. Brady's side have shown they can compete, and their recent form — including the FA Cup run — suggests the club has a foundation to build on in League Two. The match at Vale Park kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 2 May, with both teams motivated by different but equally compelling objectives.

The bottom line

• Lincoln City can set a new League One unbeaten record of 29 games if they avoid defeat at Port Vale.
• Port Vale have already been relegated but have lost only twice in seven games under Jon Brady.
• Lincoln's Reeco Hackett and Jack Moylan are joint top-scorers and may compete for the golden boot on the final day.
• Port Vale's FA Cup run to the quarter-finals was a season highlight, including a win over Premier League Sunderland.
• Lincoln have the best attack (87 goals) and defence (41 conceded) in League One this season.
• The match on 2 May is the final fixture of the League One season for both clubs.