The Imps suffered a frustrating defeat against Accrington Stanley.

The match was delayed to a 3.15pm kick-off as the visitors struggled to get to Lincolnshire for the expected time.

The visitors' disrupted preparations did not stop them starting with confidence, with Ross Sykes heading wide in the fourth minute then Ethan Hamilton pulling an effort wide.

The driving rain hindered both sides, but the Imps began to impose themselves on the game.

The first home chance came with 10 minutes on the clock after Lewis Fiorini nicked the ball of Sean McConville - his effort was blocked, before Chris Maguire sent the follow-up wide.

Lasse Sorensen also saw an effort blocked as the home side enjoyed a good spell, while Freddie Draper also fired wide after winning the ball back just outside the area.

Maguire was the first to force a save of note from either keeper with a low shot which went through a sea of bodies. It threatened to unsight Toby Savin but the visiting keeper got down quickly and got his body behind the shot.

Josh Griffiths was forced into his first save of the half deep into time added on, with Hamilton trying a low shot from distance which needed turning around the near post.

There were no changes from either side at the break, with Ted Bishop the first to try his luck with a shot from distance which went ahead

But the visitors went ahead when Hamilton's shot from outside the area was too powerful for Griffiths and Colby Bishop was the first to react to turn the ball home.

Griffiths had to be alert after 67 minutes to get his fingertips to a Seamus Conneely effort and send it over the bar.

Imps manager Michael Appleton had introduced Dan Nlundulu then Hakeeb Adelakun as he looked to find a way into the game. Their running and closing down helped give the Imps some impetus.

Adelakun's energy in the centre of the pitch helped win the ball in a dangerous area for Maguire to cross - Draper's good header grazed the top of the bar as he agonisingly went so close to opening his professional account.

Draper again went close with eight minutes to go, heading just over from Regan Poole's free-kick after doing really well to lose his man.

That kick-started a real spell of late pressure for the Imps with a number of corners in a row, with Robson curling an effort which forced Savin into a save.

McGrandles had an effort blocked as City pushed for an equaliser, while Maguire's shot was held by Savin.

Attendance: 8,547 (152 away)

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