The Imps extended their unbeaten home league run to 11 games with an entertaining draw with Bolton Wanderers.
After a lively start to the match, Bolton had the first effort at goal when Kyle Dempsey looked to bend a right-footed shot towards the far corner from just inside the box, but his effort whistled wide.
The Imps took the lead shortly afterwards after Danny Mandroiu’s clever free-kick from just inside the visitors’ half found the run of Ben House who calmly slotted past an onrushing James Trafford.
City went close to doubling their lead after 16 minutes after Regan Poole’s long throw from the right was flicked on by Paudie O’Connor towards Joe Walsh whose glancing header bounced narrowly wide of the far post.
Mandroiu looked to set up another goal midway through the first half after his cheeky backheel was chased onto by Matty Virtue who lashed a strike wide of the mark from outside the area.
The Trotters almost drew level in the 38th minute after Dion Charles’ angled effort from inside the box took a deflection off O’Connor and quickly flicked up into the hands of Rushworth.
Trafford was called into action in first-half stoppage time when House brought the ball infield before finding space to drill a low effort at goal which the keeper managed to hold.
Temperatures began to rise as the match approached the hour mark, and following Joe Walsh’s confrontations with the opposition, he was shown a yellow card by referee Geoff Eltringham.
Minutes later the Trotters were on level terms with their first shot on target as Morley’s corner towards the near post was met by Eoin Toal who got in front of his defender to flick his header past Rushworth in front of the travelling away fans.
City were reduced to 10 men after 61 minutes as Charles got in behind Walsh on the right, with the Welshman resorting to pulling the attacker back which the referee deemed was another bookable offence.
As the match entered the last 10 minutes, Ian Evatt’s side created two chances in quick succession as Conor Bradley’s goalbound strike was deflected wide before the resulting corner was sent just wide of the post - leaving the two teams to settle for a point apiece.
City: Carl Rushworth, Regan Poole ©, Paudie O’Connor, Joe Walsh, Ben House (Tom Hopper 82’), Danny Mandroiu (Jamie Robson 74’), Lasse Sorensen, TJ Eyoma, Sean Roughan, Matty Virtue, Jack Diamond. Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Adam Jackson, Max Sanders, Charles Vernam, Ted Bishop.
Goals: House (10’).
Bolton: James Trafford, MJ Williams (Amadou Bakayoko 67’), George Johnston ©, Kieran Sadlier (Kieran Lee 81’), Dion Charles (Elias Kachunga 67’), Will Aimson, Aaron Morley, Olodapo Afolayan, Eoin Toal, Conor Bradley, Kyle Dempsey (Jon Bodvarsson 76’). Subs (not used): Luke Hutchinson, Jack Iredale, Owen Beck.
Goals: Toal (58’).
Referee: Geoff Eltringham.
Attendance:9,047 (1,257 away).
