ETHAN Ross has only just become a Lincoln City player – but he has already sampled drama at their Sincil Bank ground.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper was in Colchester United’s starting line-up when they travelled to take on the already-promoted Imps on the final day of the 2018-19 season.

A crowd of nearly 10,000 expectant Lincoln fans packed into the ground that afternoon, hoping to see their side crown their promotion to League One with a victory.

But the play-off chasing U’s had other ideas, winning 3-0 with Ross playing his part in them keeping a clean sheet.

“It was a top of the table clash and we were in and around the play-offs,” said Ross.

“The home fans were out in force and the Colchester fans turned out really well on the day, as well which made it a great spectacle.

“I think Lincoln get around 9-10,000 a week and it’s definitely been a sleeping giant of a club for a while but now in League One, it’s a big club.

“I remember that day we played there really well; it was bittersweet in a way with us winning the game but Newport scoring in the last minute to deny us a play-off place.

“For 90 minutes, we’d done our job and then to hear at full-time that we wouldn’t be in the play-offs was gutting.

“It was a tough one to take but a great one to be a part of nonetheless."

Ross has left Colchester following the expiry of his contract there and joined Lincoln on a one-year deal, where he will play under Michael Appleton.

“I’d never actually met the gaffer before coming to Lincoln but I’d heard really good things about him," said Ross.

“I’ve seen a lot about the way he tries to play and his vision for the players and the club, going forward.

“That was a big seller for me and it really excited me, the really positive words he had about the club and the way he tried to set his team up.

“It’s important for me to go in and improve myself and work hard.

“I’ve always been a grafter in that sense but whenever you go into a new environment, you want to go in all guns blazing and make your mark.

“Hopefully over the next few weeks, I’ll be able to do that.”

Ross was on the bench for Colchester’s play-off defeat at Exeter City – and admits missing out on Wembley was tough to take.

He added: “After the first leg, we were really confident going into the next leg.

“We weren’t going to go to St James Park and try and defend a 1-0 lead for 90-plus minutes – we just planned to play our game and hopefully win the game.

“In the end, with all of the extra-time, it was really gutting because it would have been great to have left the club on a high note had the move materialised.

“We were gutted on the day and it was a tough one to take but that’s football and there are so many highs and lows in the game.

“I met a lot of good people at Colchester, so I’ll still be supporting them in League Two.”