Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning on what Terriers must learn from Lincoln City's League One story

It had nothing to do with their league position either.

The Town chief saw a rival side in action that was comfortable in its own skin.

It's a group which has grown together over a period of time under the astute stewardship of Michael Skubala.

Every player knows each other's roles and it is a team with a clear identity. Their progress will be rewarded with automatic promotion and quite possibly the League One title later this spring.

On difficult days - and Lincoln had a testing first 25 minutes or so for sure at the Accu Stadium - good sides don't panic and trust themselves.

The leaders did just that and while it took them until stoppage-time to ensure that their long unbeaten run remained intact by virtue of a 2-2 draw - 21 games and counting - there could be no doubting that they deserved something for their resounding comeback.

To build something in the image of Lincoln takes time. The Imps’ outstanding feats in 2025-26 have plainly been a few years in the making.

Patience at Huddersfield is not so finite, but every successful side surely needs an element of that quality. Nothing lasting is built overnight.

Manning, whose side were pegged back after taking a 2-0 lead, said: "I think we unfortunately live in a world now where patience doesn't exist and everybody wants everything yesterday, right?

"And I think if you want to create something, it starts with what you want it to look like and what your identity is.

"Then for me, you need to recruit the right players to be able to do that, which obviously they (Lincoln) have. And you need time to coach and align the group. And to do that in such short periods, it is difficult.

"It's how do you buy the time of winning games and getting results in the short term to earn the right for the longer term."

Boos greeted home players at half-time during Town's previous home game with Rotherham United - and there were even some jeers at the final whistle, regardless of the fact that the hosts had won.

On Tuesday, Town were denied three points by Ryley Towler's stoppage-time leveller. Tellingly, it was not the precursor to catcalls at the end.

Those home followers who choose to attend had their players' backs pretty much and invested into their efforts.

There was warm applause at the interval, which made for sweet music in the circumstances. More especially given some damning chants of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' from some incensed away supporters at Vale Park three days earlier.

Tuesday reflected well upon Town’s players who are hardly tone-deaf to vitriol from the stands. This praise was earned.

Manning's side played forward and were progressive in the first half especially and were rewarded with quality goals from birthday boy Ryan Hardie and recalled captain Ryan Ledson.

For much of the remainder of the game, the hosts were forced to dig in against the division's form team, who were physically dominant, tactically strong and possessed a significant set-piece threat that wore down Town, who got increasingly penned in.

To play like Town did in the opening half over the course takes time and patience. Back to that p word. But in contrast to Rotherham, this was tons better.

Manning said: "I'd like to think I'm honest. I think I sat here after the Rotherham game and was quite honest.

"The lads, myself and none of us want to go out and perform poorly or go out and play square or back, which is the bit that I get thrown at.

"We don't want that. I thought we showed some real bravery to play and showed elements where we went in behind and went long (on Tuesday).

"And if you want that variety of football where you do a bit of everything, it takes time because it's not easy.

"I think if you take away the decision from the lads and force them to play short or long, you might get slightly quicker results. But I think the ceiling is a lot lower.

"I thought it was disappointing is concede from two set-pieces. When you look at our open play record of conceding goals, it's incredible.

"But I think we have to reflect on the performance element, which if we can replicate that and hit a level of consistency - not just game to game, but within the game - we'll win more games."

On a night when Town dropped out of the top six, there was hope, ironically. They now face a direct rival in Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. A club that have stuck with their manager and are reaping rewards.