City stretched their unbeaten league run to 14 matches with a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers at the LNER Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Imps led at half time thanks to Jack Moylan's fifth goal in as many matches and had opportunities to extend their advantage before Sam Dalby struck eight minutes from time to earn the visitors a share of the spoils in a frantic contenst.
Michael Skubala named an unchanged for the fifth game in a row for the fixture with the Trotters. Ryan Oné, who registered his first Imps goal in the previous win at Plymouth Argyle, was part of an unchanged bench.
City almost made the perfect start within two minutes when Moylan nutmegged Chris Forino and took aim, but he was unlucky to see his powerful effort cannon back off the crossbar from inside the box. The attacker had another opportunity three minutes later, when he latched onto a Tom Hamer long throw, but his stabbed effort was kept out by Jack Bonham.
The visitors also hit the crossbar on 12 minutes, when John McAtee saw his cross deceive George Wickens and clip the woodwork, before City were able to clear. Another chance fell their way three minutes later, when Corey Blackett-Taylor accelerated down the right flank and found Sam Dalby in the box, but his effort was kept out by Wickens. The danger wasn’t over, as Blackett-Taylor was involved moments later. This time, he picked out McAtee who got his shot away on the turn, but Sonny Bradley was able to make a good block.
City had an opportunity on 24 minutes, when Rob Street met Adam Reach’s cross, but his header was saved. The Imps wouldn’t have to wait too long to open the scoring and did so a minute later with an excellently worked goal. Reach and Street exchanged passes down the left flank, before the former picked out Moylan. He played a one-two of his own with Reeco Hackett, before side-footing the ball past the outstretched arm of Bonham.
The Imps looked to press home their advantage and had a chance to do so 10 minutes after the goal, but Street couldn’t keep his header on target after meeting Tendayi Darikwa’s cross. Kyle Dempsey looked to respond for Wanderers when he took aim from range, but he could only find the side-netting with his low drive on 38 minutes. Moments later, Street was next to try his look with a curling effort, but it was too close to Bonham.
Both teams had a chance inside the five added minutes at the end of the first half. Firstly, Rob Apter shot just wide of the half-volley after being picked out by Dempsey. Then, Moylan broke clear before aiming towards goal, but his strike from 20 yards was straight at Bonham, as the game remained finely poised at the interval.
The Imps had the first big chance in the second half when Jack Bonham didn’t deal with Tom Hamer’s long throw and the away side were forced to concede a corner. Hackett’s delivery found Reach inside the area, but his volley was off target. City continued to press and were unlucky to see Moylan denied by a Eoin Toal block, before the Irishman again went close, with his strike just off target on 56 minutes.
The away side shuffled their pack on the hour mark, introducing Ibrahim Cissoko and Alan Sheehan in place of Corey Blackett-Taylor and Kyle Dempsey, as Wanderers looked for a way back into the contest.
Johnny Kenny was also introduced on 65 minutes and was almost involved immediately when he took up a good position in the area, but John McAtee was unable to pick him out from the right wing.
The Imps had three big chances to wrap up the points inside the final 15 minutes. They were denied by a double Bonham save when the keeper kept out Street’s goalbound effort before foiling Reach from the follow-up. Moments later, Hackett teed up Street inside the area, but his effort came back off a post.
With 12 minutes left, the Imps made a triple change with Tom Bayliss, Ben House and Ryley Towler all entering the action.
The away side equalised against the run of play with 82 minutes on the clock, when Sam Dalby diverted Ethan Erhahon’s cross past the stranded George Wickens to make it 1-1.
The Imps had one last chance to win it in the sixth of seven added minutes, but were again left frustrated by Bonham, who denied Hackett from Bayliss' corner.
Imps - Wickens, Darikwa, Reach, Hackett, Moylan (House 78'), McGrandles, Bradley, Street (Oné 90'), Hamer, Varfolomeev (Bayliss 78'), Draper (Towler 78'). Unused - Jeacock, Towler,, Jefferies, Lloyd.
Bolton - Bonham, Forino, Johnston, Dalby, Osei-Tutu, Apter (Kenny 65'), Toal, Erhahon, Dempsey, Blackett-Taylor, McAtee (Rodrigues 78'). Unused – Harrington, Simons, Sheehan, Cissoko, Christie.
Attendance - 10,235 (1,770)
Referee – Will Finnie