Ryan Oné’s late strike sealed victory over AFC Wimbledon, but the Imps had to work to stretch their unbeaten run to an incredible 23 games.
Head coach Michael Skubala made one change to the starting line-up, with Tom Bayliss back in the side in place of Ivan Varfolomeev - who had only returned from international duty with Ukraine U21 the previous day.
City started brightly and had an early opportunity in the first minute when Reeco Hackett ran down the right side before his pullback found Conor McGrandles, who connected well with his shot but could not direct it away from visiting goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.
The Imps had another opportunity after seven minutes when Rob Street chased to keep the ball alive and passed it to Tendayi Darikwa, whose cross found Ben House. He got a shot away, but the assistant's flag was up for offside.
The Dons' first chance came after 23 minutes when a few passes between the away players led to a Callum Maycock shot. The strike went towards a bottom corner, but George Wickens was able to get there in time and saved the shot.
Bayliss took another free kick just outside the box after 40 minutes with a shot that powered its way towards the goal but came crashing back off the bar.
The Dons made a change at half-time and replaced their captain, Ryan Johnson, with Junior Nkeng, while the Imps remained unchanged.
City started the second half as the dominant side with most of the play having been in the away end, although the visitors continued to dig in and make it hard for the home side to create chances.
Ryley Towler had a chance when he went one-and-one with Bishop, the Dons’ keeper, but a last-ditch tackle stopped him getting a shot away.
Skubala made changes as the second half progressed. Street was replaced by Oné, and Varfolomeev was also brought on in place of Bayliss.
City had an opportunity after 70 minutes when a cross fell to Hamer, who attempted to control the ball to one side of the goal, but it went out of play.
The Dons came back with an attempt after a pass was intercepted in the home end. Omar Bugiel found the ball in front of him in the area, but Wickens was able to catch it before a shot was taken after 72 minutes.
Skubala made a further triple change after 80 minutes with Hackett, Darikwa and House coming off for Alfie Lloyd, Deji Elerewe and Dom Jefferies.
The Imps were close to leading after 82 minutes following a cross that landed at the goalmouth, but the ball bounced over the top of the goal.
The defining moment came after 88 minutes when a cross from Moylan outside the box made its way into the centre where a line of home players were waiting - Towler knocked the ball back for Oné to tap into the back of the net.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa (Elerewe 80’), Towler, Hackett (Lloyd 80’), Bayliss (Varfolomeev 67’), Moylan, McGrandles, Bradley, Street (Oné 60’), House (Jefferies 80’), Hamer. Subs not used: Jeacock, Ring.
Dons: Bishop, Seddon, Johnson (Nkeng 46’), Maycock, Bugiel, Smith, Bauer (Asiimwe 90’), Hackford (Foyo 66’), Lewis, Ogundere, Nelson (Jennings 87’). Subs not used: McDonnell, Reeves, Hutchinson.
Referee: Edward Duckworth
Attendance: 10,088 (762 away).
