Paul Rogers has his detractors amongst Albion fans who have often been critical of his contribution.

But manager Micky Adams has stood relentlessly by his skipper. The experienced midfielder has been an ever-present when available, missing only one match through suspension. His name must be the first on the teamsheet.

Rogers was Adams' first signing, on a free transfer from Wigan last summer, when he launched his major rebuilding programme. Assistant Alan Cork was a team-mate at Sheffield United, so Adams knew he was getting an unfussy and dependable pro who would lead by example.

What he could not have anticipated is the number of goals Rogers has provided. That has been a real bonus. The two he headed in from Paul Watson corners in the second half at Sincil Bank on Saturday didn't just clinch an eyecatching victory. It also increased his tally for the season to nine.

"I think the last time I scored two in a game was for Sutton ten years ago," revealed Portsmouth-born Rogers, 35 tomorrow. The most I have got in a season before is about five, so it's nice to be chipping in."

There was no mystery about this win for a makeshift side which ended disappointing Lincoln's eight-match unbeaten run. It was elementary dear Watson.

All of the goals came from set pieces, all of Albion's from Paul Watson corners.

The first arrived at the end of a dour first half, devoid of excitement. Danny Cullip, returning from a five-match absence with a thigh strain, met Watson's delivery towards the near post with a firm header which rebounded in off Darren Freeman, lurking near the goal-line.

Most of the players rushed to congratulate Cullip, but Freeman was rightly credited with his 11th of the season. The lead didn't last long, as Lincoln were gifted an equaliser four minutes into the second half.

Terry Fleming's long throw was headed back towards his own goal by Andy Crosby. Mark Walton groped at thin air, leaving Tony Thorpe to crash in his 14th of the campaign from close range.

It was difficult to pick a winner at that stage, but Rogers made sure of the points with two similar efforts in the space of 14 minutes. He steered a free header from Watson's corner from the left past a couple of Lincoln players stationed on the line.

Richard Peacock nearly restored parity with a 25-yard shot which struck a post and rebounded into the grateful Walton's arms before Rogers pounced again. This time it was a Watson corner from the right with that deadly left peg of his and more of a glancing header from the captain, which went in off the far post.

Adams recognised the irony of the manner in which victory was achieved. "The one thing we were worried about was the quality of Lincoln's set pieces," Adams said. "They are normally dangerous, so for us to score from three set pieces was pleasing. We know with Paul Watson that nine times out of ten a quality ball will go in, so we have to make sure we have people with the desire to attack it."

Albion won despite, rather than because of, an emergency strike force and a defence branded "iffy" by Adams. Of all the permutations open to him to cover for the absence through suspension up front of Gary Hart and Bobby Zamora's return to Bristol Rovers, nobody would have guessed at a partnership of Darren Carr and Scott Ramsay.

Carr, normally a rugged centre half yet to score for the first team, had been thrown on up front the previous Saturday in the dying stages against Southend, when Hart grabbed a stoppage time winner. Teenager Ramsay had not scored either in 18 previous appearances, although the vast majority had been as a late substitute.

Carr was replaced by Rod Thomas midway through the second half, which allowed Freeman to resume his preferred role as a central striker. Adams will surely resurrect the Hart-Freeman partnership against Macclesfield tomorrow night, although he insisted: "If Leicester can do it with Walsh and Elliott why can't Brighton do it with Darren Carr?

"He worked hard and did the job. He is a big, strong and powerful lad and we needed that at both ends of the pitch. That's why I chose him rather than another midget."

Adams was more concerned about a defence denied the reassuring services of Keith McPherson because of injury. "I was disappointed with our defending," he added. "We didn't cope with the long throw for their goal and they weren't at it as a back four or as individuals, so we have a bit to do."

Saturday's victory means Albion have reached Adams's first target of 50 points. If they have passed his next target of 55, which was last season's total, by next Saturday when they visit fast-fading Barnet then the play-offs really will be on.

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