Blackpool had already scored two goals in their play-off semi-final against Oxford at half-time, but these two teams are keeping each other at bay so far.

The Tangerines ended up winning 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium, with the home leg to come.

Certainly not as clear cut. Both teams have had a purple patch in the game, and while Lee Burge has been slightly busier, it's not been the Alamo at either end.

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How good is it too, to hear chants again?

I don't mean the piped-in, pre-recorded from the archive chants we've had.

The real deal. Great atmosphere at Sincil Bank.

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Very entertaining fare from two promotion contenders here in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final.

Lincoln have been excellent; positive, dynamic, well set-up at the back. Brennan Johnson also hit the post in the best chance of the game.

Although Sunderland have been under a bit of pressure, they have also grown into the contest.

Aiden McGeady and Jordan Jones offer plenty of threat out wide, while Charlie Wyke will surely get a chance at some point.

Nice and open though.

Great chance for Aiden McGeady but he can't keep it down for Sunderland.

Jordan Jones' cross is headed away but only as far as McGeady, on his right foot he skies it over the top.

Then huge roars, in a slightly sarcastic manner, as Charlie Wyke is pinged for a foul of Lewis Montsma.

Aiden McGeady does Anthony Scully with a drop of the shoulder and the Lincoln winger crudely halts his progress...

Another chance for the Irishman to whip it in... headed away.

Lynden Gooch turns on the edge of the box and curls a beauty towards goal which doesn't quick kick back in to soar inside the far post.

Lincoln goalkeeper Joe Bursik was scrambling and stretching and was relieved to see it sizzle wide.

Clumsy challenge from Lewis Montsma who clambers all over Charlie Wyke like a child on a climbing frame.

Free-kick to Sunderland.

One for Aiden McGeady's laser-guided boot?

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The Lincoln fans are enjoying the sunshine and the merits of their team at present.

It's been a positive half, and in Brennan Johnson's post-scuffing effort they've had the best chance.

Sunderland have plenty of quality though, and are very much in the game themselves.

Nicely poised at the minute as we edge towards half-time.

Liam Bridcutt is like one of Fagin's little pickpockets. Every time Sunderland stray into his little area of midfield he's in there like a flash.

The visitors are baring their teeth a little more now though, Lyndon Gooch has a pot-shot from 20 yards out which buys them a corner after it flicks off the nuggety Bridcutt.

Anthony Scully whizzes down the right and thrashes another cross into the six-yard box but Lincoln can't get a man in there to tuck it away.

It was a diagonal in behind and he had the pace on Callum McFadzean.

Lincoln come close and it's Brennan Johnson who thumps the base of the post with his shot from the edge of the box.

Dug it out of his feet, angled his run to the right and then fizzed it low back toward the far post.

Sunderland head behind for the corner.

The Forest man is flying for the Imps.

Sunderland working their way into the game.

Luke O'Nien got half a yard in the edge of the box but his stretching toepoke effort is easily dealt with.

Aiden McGeady gives a flash of his threat too. He curls an inswinging ball into the Lincoln box but Joe Bursik is alert.

Lee Johnson is dressed up in what looks a bit like a 'Sunday wine bar brunch' outfit, blazer, jumper, white shirt, smart jeans. He's also barking out instructions to his team enthusiastically.

Michael Appleton is not a man for that garb. Tracksuit for him.

Glenn Crake: McGeady is the match winner. Sunderland just need to keep feeding him the ball.

Tim Eyoma has to react to head a looping ball towards Charlie Wyke.

Lincoln then clear another raid down the right, as Sunderland's Jordan Jones squeezes a cross into the mix, but the same Imps defender mops up again.

Lynden Gooch did well to snaffle the ball with Lincoln camped around the Sunderland box, and breaks forward.

However, there's not a lot of push to support, and the Imps eventually smuggle the ball behind for the corner.

Chance here... Tom Flanagan goes up at the far post but his header booms into the palms of Joe Bursik. Barely flinched.

Liam Bridcutt has been busy for Lincoln, a former Sunderland player of course. Breaking up play with confidence.

Didn't have the smoothest of rides at the Stadium of Light, so a win tonight might be extra-sweet.

Lincoln bomb on again after the ball is won in their half and Brennan Johnson threads a pass into space for Anthony Scully to cross.

However, he overhits it to the back-post and the chance passes.

Not too much for visiting keeper Lee Burge to do so far, couple of saves, but the main flow of traffic is toward his goal.

It's a steely stare on the bench from Michael Appleton, who played in play-off campaigns with West Brom and Preston as a player.

His Lincoln side are bossing the game.

Sunderland have got the ball into the box a couple of times, but no chance to release the threat of Charlie Wyke so far.

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Morgan Rogers is in behind after Luke O'Nien takes a tumble and leaves a hole to burst into, but Tom Flanagan is there again.

The air-raid siren goes off again for the corner... ball breaks to Lewis Montsma on the volley but the deflection makes it an easier save for Lee Burge in the Sunderland net.