Scottish teen's dramatic goal puts side on cusp of 65-year high as Celtic man keeps promotion dream alive
Scotland Under-21 international puts side within a point of promotion.
Scotland Under-21 striker Ryan One was the hero for Lincoln City as his dramatic late strike put them within touching distance of promotion to the EFL Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The 19-year-old climbed off the bench to score the only goal of the game in the 88th minute to secure a 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon, meaning they require just one more point to cement their place in the English second tier for the first time since 1961.
Currently on a 23-game unbeaten run, Michael Skubala’s side are now 10 points ahead of second-placed Cardiff City, while they hold a huge 18 point advantage on Bolton Wanderers in third. A draw from any of their final six games will secure their return after a 65-year absence.
The former Hamilton youngster has bagged four league goals since joining the club on loan from Sheffield United in January, but few have been as controversial as his winner against the Dons, with Dom Jefferies’ cross looking like it hit Ryley Towler’s hand before it reached One, with AFC Wimbledon adamant it should have been ruled out.
“This group has been excellent,” said a delighted Skubala after the game. “Not just the ones who start, but the ones who come on. You don’t go half the season unbeaten if you don’t have game-changing subs who can affect the match. You have to find ways to win matches, and it was an excellent three points.”
Moving to Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee in September 2023, the Coatbridge-born striker caught the attention of the Blades’ hierarchy after breaking into Hamilton’s first team aged just 16. Capped at various youth levels by Scotland, he began his stint at Bramall Lane playing for the club’s development squad, before making 12 appearances in the EFL Championship last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion by losing 2-1 to Sunderland in the EFL Championship final in May.
Handed an opportunity to impress in pre-season, One scored four goals in just three games for Sheffield United. However, he found his first-team opportunities limited when the league season got underway, and opted to join Skubala’s side in the winter transfer window.
Elsewhere in EFL League One, on loan Celtic forward Johnny Kenny kept Bolton Wanderers’ slim hopes of automatic promotion alive, scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot as Steven Schumacher’s side secured a vital 2-1 win away to Plymouth Argyle to close the gap on Cardiff City in second to eight points. The promotion chasers are set to face each other next week in Wales.
The 22-year-old scored six goals for Celtic in the first-half of the season, but was allowed to join the Trotters on a loan deal until the end of the campaign. A hit at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, he has scored two goals and assisted a further three in his first six games.
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