The Imps completed a second-half comeback to pick up all three points at home against Fleetwood Town.
City began the match on the front foot but couldn’t create any clear cut chances early on, with Paudie O’Connor’s flicked header wide from Sean Roughan’s deep free-kick the closest they came.
The pressure continued to build but the Imps were still unable to threaten Jay Lynch’s goal as Reeco Hackett’s long-range effort whistled the wrong side of the top left corner before Sean Roughan’s audacious volley bounced wide.
Fleetwood took the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute after Jayden Stockley sent a looping ball forward for Promise Omochere who managed to round Lukas Jensen and tap into the City goal.
Michael Skubala’s side looked to draw back level through a number of set pieces towards the end of the half, although O’Connor’s back post header went wide and Ted Bishop’s inswinging free-kick was scrambled clear.
Joe Taylor then had a big opportunity to equalise as Jensen launched the ball forward to the frontman who took the ball down brilliantly before dragging the shot wide of the far post.
Tempers boiled over at the end of the half following an altercation between Jayden Stockley and Ben House, which saw them both receive bookings as well as a second yellow for Bosun Lawal.
The Imps started the second half brightly and were back on level terms in the 53rd minute as Reeco Hackett sent in an inch-perfect cross from the left to Ben House who peeled away from his man to head home.
City completed the turnaround in the 57th minute after Hackett’s cross from the byline was flicked up to Lasse Sorensen at the far post who sent a driven effort underneath the goalie and in.
Jensen was then called into action at the other end to deny Stockley’s flick at the near post before beating away Harrison Holgate’s fierce strike from the edge of the box a few minutes later.
Hackett continued to threaten down the left flank for the rest of the game and almost set up another goal after his pull back for Conor McGrandles was sent towards goal and tipped agonisingly past the post.
City saw the game out well and could’ve put the game out of sight with a third through Bishop who found space to get a shot away from just outside the box, but his effort fizzed wide of the target.
Imps: Lukas Jensen, Paudie O’Connor ©, Adam Jackson (TJ Eyoma 76’), Sean Roughan, Ethan Erhahon, Ted Bishop, Conor McGrandles, Lasse Sorensen, Reeco Hackett, Joe Taylor (Jovon Makama 89’), Ben House (Dylan Duffy 68’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Danny Mandroiu, Jack Moylan.
Goals: House (53’) Sorensen (57’).
Fleetwood: Jay Lynch, Ben Heneghan, Carl Johnston, Bosun Lawal ©, Elijah Campbell, Brendan Wiredu, Gavin Kilkenny, Ryan Broom (Junior Quitirna 61’), Jayden Stockley, Promise Omochere (Ryan Graydon 46’), Ronan Coughlan (Harrison Holgate 46’). Subs (not used): Stephen McMullan, Imari Samuels, Phoenix Patterson, Tom Lonergan.
Goals: Omochere (34’).
Attendance: 8,282 (175 away).
Referee: Daniel Middleton.
