Goals from Morgan Whittaker and Cohen Bramall fired the Imps to victory over Morecambe.

Imps manager Michael Appleton made three changes to the starting XI with Chris Maguire, Max Sanders and Joe Walsh making a return.

City almost found the lead four minutes in after Whittaker received the ball 20 yards from goal. He attempted to lob the Shrimps keeper Trevor Carson but his effort fell just short.

Whittaker made up for his earlier miss just six minutes later as he opened the scoring. TJ Eyoma found himself in acres of space down the right side of the box and pulled it back for Anthony Scully. Scully’s shot was then blocked off the line but Whittaker was there to tap in the rebound and put the Imps 1-0 up.

City doubled their lead in the 19th minute with Bramall’s first goal of the season. Scully was involved once again as he held up the ball on the left of the box and laid it off to Bramall. The left-back arrived with pace and slotted it neatly past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Whittaker went in search of his second goal in the 36th minute, but his shot from the edge of the box failed to test Carson as it sailed high over the crossbar.

Morecambe had their first shot on goal two minutes later as a whipped cross found Greg Leigh at the back post. His header lacked power and was gathered comfortably by Josh Griffiths who had little to do in the half.

Walsh was the first to be booked by referee, Anthony Backhouse, after a tussle with Cole Stockton in the 43rd minute. Adam Phillips’ free-kick from 30 yards out bounced wide.

Anthony O’Connor had a golden opportunity to pull one back for the visitors moments before half-time.

The centre-back rose above the rest to get on the end of a corner, but his header was fired just wide of the post and it meant that the Imps went into the break with a two goal lead.

The Shrimps’ manager Stephen Robinson looked to change things up at halftime bringing on Alfie McCalmont in place of Dylan Connolly while Lincoln’s side remained unchanged.
Morecambe started the second half with much higher intensity than the first.

Diagourara pulled one back for the visitors in the 55th minute with an outstanding volley from 19 yards out which left Griffiths with no chance of saving.

Morecambe nearly found an equaliser in the 63rd after Griffiths’ wayward pass fell into the path of Jonah Ayunga who had a clear shot on goal. Griffiths recovered from his mistake, getting across to block the attempt. This proved to be Ayunga’s last moment on the pitch as he was replaced by Jonathan Obika five minutes later.

Appleton bolstered his attack with 15 minutes left as City struggled to find their feet in the second half. Whittaker was replaced by Ben House who came off the bench.

House made an immediate impact as he burst down the left side of the pitch towards goal. He cut inside and rifled a shot across Carson who pulled off an impressive save to deny House a debut goal.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy came off the bench in the 83rd minute to replace TJ Eyoma at right-back who picked up a slight knock. Scully then made way for Liam Cullen minutes later.

Leigh played a floated ball across to Shane McLoughlin at the back post who drilled a first time ball across the six yard box in the 86th. Conor McGrandles was there to clear it and very nearly put the ball in his own net as the ball bounced off his foot and over the crossbar.

The Imps held off Morecambe for the remainder of the game to earn an important three points at the LNER Stadium.