City reached the knockout stages of the Vertu Trophy in style as strikes from Frankie Okoronkwo and James Collins sealed victory at Barnsley to top Group D with a 100% without conceding a single goal.
The victory, following wins over Notts County and Manchester United U21, meant the Imps claimed all nine possible points from the group and secures a home tie in the second round. City will find out who will visit the LNER Stadium in the round of 32 in Thursday afternoon's draw.
It was an eye-catching team selection from head coach Michael Skubala, with Oisin Gallagher and Dom Jefferies named in the starting XI for the first time after lengthy injuries and Jack Moylan returning to the bench for the first time after he was forced out of the Carabao Cup win at Harrogate Town back in August.
Gallagher and Jefferies' return to action was among nine changes made by the Imps, with Adam Jackson and Erik Ring the only two keeping their places from the previous fixture at Rotherham United.
For City the intention was to give players a chance to shine, while the home side named a strong line-up - and that experience helped them to start the game strongly.
Vimal Yogatnathan and Neil Ferrugia both had early chances for the hosts - neither of which tested Zach Jeacock before he was first called into action after nine minutes to push away Caylan Vickers' shot after Tendayi Darikwa had blocked his initial effort via a thigh.
City grew into the game and Ring won a corner after 17 minutes, having been set free down the right by James Collins.
That started a run of five corners in quick succession for the visitors. The best chances were a Gallagher header and Collins shot, both of which were blocked behind. The fifth and final corner also saw Darikwa get a shot away, which was blocked, after Okoronkwo headed the ball back into his path.
Jefferies almost capped his return to action with a dream goal after a great move, which started when Ryley Towler kept his composure under pressure on his own byline to keep the ball and clear. Gallagher's pass sent Darikwa away and he in turn found Collins as he ran towards the area. City's No.9 unselfishly fed Jefferies who paced past by his left with only a great stop from Kieren Flavell denying the Welshman.
Another corner led to City's first really clear chances. Ring's short delivery to Oscar Thorn resulted in the latter getting past two defenders before sending the ball dangerously into the six-yard box. A clearance just in front of the goalline fell only as far as Okoronkwo who lifted his effort agonisingly over.
Okoronkwo made no mistake moments later, as the game reached the half hour mark, and the Imps went ahead. It was again a well-worked move which started with Darikwa down the right - his ball through sent Ring toward goal. The Swede showed real composure as he faced up to Flavell and bypassed the Tykes goalkeeper completely - squaring the ball for Okoronkwo who turned it home.
City by now were controlling possession but there was a warning as the home side managed to get the space for Luca Connell to stab a shot towards goal - Jeacock got down well to tip the ball behind with his left hand for a corner.
There were opportunities for the Imps to extend their lead before the break. The best came when the ball broke nicely for Ring after 35 minutes, as two home defenders struggled to cope with Collins, but he went for power and his shot went over.
There was one half-time change for the Imps, with Jefferies' return successfully completed and Justin Obikwu coming on in his place.
City started the second period brightly, with Flavell called into action to block Okoronkwo's shot with his legs just three minutes after the restart.
David McGoldrick tried his luck from distance for the hosts after 52 minutes, but his attempt to loft the ball over Jeacock was off target.
Collins went close on the hour mark. He was afforded plenty of time and used the run of Okoronkwo to his left as a decoy, before cutting inside and trying a shot from range which - via a wicked deflection - looped back off the crossbar.
A minute later he did have the ball in the back of the net. Jackson's head down found him and he controlled the ball superbly with his right foot before volleying home with a powerful left-footed effort which found the bottom right corner. It was a deserved goal for City's No.9.
There was a significant moment after 64 minutes when Moylan came off the bench - replacing the goalscorer Collins - for his first action since suffering his injury in August.
The experience on City's bench showed as the likes of Tom Bayliss, Sonny Bradley and Rob Street were sent on for short runouts in the closing stages.
Street got a shot away after 80 minutes after creating space for himself, though his low effort was well held by Flavell.
Barnsley: Flavell, Ogbeta, Shepherd (Roberts, 62), Rooney (Graham, 62), Watson, Connell (Walker, 83), Yoganathan, Vickers, McGoldrick, Farrugia, Keillor-Dunn (Cleary, 50). Subs not used: Cooper, Woodcock.
City: Jeacock, Darikwa (Bradley, 75), Jackson, Towler, Collins (Moylan, 64), Thorn, Ring, Jefferies (Obikwu, 46), Okoronkwo (Street, 75), Barbrook, Gallagher (Bayliss, 64). Subs not used: Pardington, Draper.
Referee: Jacob Miles
Attendance: 1,202 (161 away)
