City fell to their first league defeat since the opening day of the season - losing narrowly at high-flying Portsmouth.

The Imps took an early lead on the South Coast thanks to a first goal of the season from Hakeeb Adelakun who latched onto a ball through the middle of the defence from Reeco Hackett.

Conor Shaughnessy looked to clear the lines but struck it against City’s No. 21, with the ball rebounding up into the top right corner to put his side ahead.

Portsmouth were back on level terms soon afterwards though as they regained possession in the final third due to a poor defensive header before Alex Robertson laid the ball to Paddy Lane who found an inch of space to squeeze a shot into the bottom right corner.

Pompey then enjoyed a fair amount of possession in the minutes that followed this, however the best chance they could conjure up in this time was Marlon Pack’s deflected free-kick which bounced comfortably wide of the target.

The next best chance of the game arrived in the 39th minute after Adelakun’s long throw from the left came straight back to him, which he delivered back into the box towards Paudie O’Connor who sent a flicked header over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half-time John Mousinho’s side went in front after Jack Sparkes’ sent a looping first-time cross towards Regan Poole at the back post who got in front of Jack Burroughs to head home.

The Imps almost equalised shortly after the break as Erhahon sent a smart pass into Burroughs who cut in from the left and sent a low effort which just failed to curl in at the far post.

Pompey regained possession and tested City’s resilience with a counter which finished with Lane striking a fierce angled effort from inside the box which stung the palms of Lukas Jensen.

The hosts had another big chance to go further in front just after the hour mark after a goalmouth scramble ended with the loose ball bouncing for Pack to race onto it and fire over the bar.

Joe Morrell was next to try his luck in the 68th minute after the ball came out to him on the edge of the area for him to send two shots goalwards which was first blocked by Abu Kamara and then by Lasse Sorensen.

Mark Kennedy’s side had a golden opportunity to level with the almost the last kick of the game as Sorensen’s delivery was headed goalwards by O’Connor. The ball was then cleared only as far as Adam Jackson just inside the box who sent a first-time effort bouncing up and over the crossbar.

Portsmouth: Will Norris, Regan Poole, Marlon Pack ©, Alex Robertson (Tino Anjorin 74’), Colby Bishop, Joe Morrell (Sean Raggett 90+4’), Joe Rafferty, Conor Shaughnessy, Jack Sparkes (Ryley Towler 90+4’), Abu Kamara (Gavin Whyte 74’), Paddy Lane (Terry Devlin 87’). Subs (not used): Ryan Schofield, Ben Stevenson.

Goals: Lane (8’), Poole (45+3’).

Imps: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, Adam Jackson, Ethan Erhahon, Reeco Hackett (Jovon Makama 75’), Ted Bishop (Ali Smith 75’), Ethan Hamilton, Paudie O’Connor ©, Jack Burroughs (Jaden Brown 84’), Hakeeb Adelakun (Dylan Duffy 75’), Sean Roughan (Alex Mitchell 84’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, TJ Eyoma.

Goals: Adelakun (5’).

Referee: Paul Howard.

Attendance: 17,748 (475 away).