A determined Imps performance earned a point at home against high-flying Derby County.

Lukas Jensen was made to work early on as Curtis Nelson headed straight at the keeper before Conor Hourihane’s drilled effort from outside the box had to be held at the near post.

A few minutes later Nathaniel Mendez-Laing went on a powerful run at goal, but an onrushing Jensen did enough to put the forward off who put his effort into the side netting. 

Ethan Hamilton almost put his side in front after his 25-yard free-kick was pushed around the outside of the post by Josh Vickers who was at full stretch to deny the Imps.

The next best chance, of what was an even first 30 minutes, came for the Rams after James Collins chased down Alex Mitchell’s blocked ball forward before having his fierce effort denied by a last-ditch challenge from Adam Jackson.

Joe Taylor went very close to sparking the game into life with a wonderful solo effort after he ran from inside his own half and past several defenders before lifting his effort just over the crossbar.

Moments later Taylor could’ve scored again after he spun away from Eiran Cashin on the left flank before racing towards goal and sending his effort inches past the top right corner.

Louie Sibley had the first chance of the second half with a driven shot across goal from outside the box, although the effort zipped just wide of the right post.

Derby continued to build the pressure in the early stages of the second half and created another opening in the 53rd minute as Tom Barkhuizen rolled the ball to Collins inside the box who turned towards goal and skied his shot over the bar.

Taylor kept causing issues with his pace and in the 55th minute he burst past Cashin to poke an effort goalwards, but Vickers' deft touch took the pace off the strike which allowed the Derby defender to race back and clear off the line.

Taylor had another two chances at the midway point of the second half as he rose highest to Dylan Duffy’s cross before he swept a curling effort towards goal a few minutes later which was parried clear.

City brought on Jack Moylan for his home debut and Jovon Makama towards the end of the game in search of a late winner but Derby stood firm to ensure the spoils were shared at the LNER Stadium.

Imps: Lukas Jensen, Alex Mitchell, Adam Jackson, Sean Roughan, Ethan Erhahon, Ted Bishop, Ethan Hamilton, Lasse Sorensen, Reeco Hackett (Dylan Duffy 57’), Joe Taylor (Jack Moylan 77’), Freddie Draper (Jovon Makama 87’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Ali Smith, Jack Burroughs, TJ Eyoma.

Derby: Josh Vickers, Kane Wilson, Conor Hourihane, Eiran Cashin, Tom Barkhuizen (Liam Thompson 77’), Max Bird, James Collins, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Louie Sibley (Tyreece John-Jules 67’), Callum Elder, Curtis Nelson. Subs (not used): Joe Wildsmith, Sonny Bradley, Joe Ward, Darren Robinson, Dajaune Brown.

Attendance: 9,735 (1,890 away).

Referee: Ollie Yates.