City kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win against EFL Sky Bet Championship side Preston North End in Spain.
The Imps started fast in Murica - Jovon Makama put Michael Skubala’s side ahead in the second minute. A quick break forwards saw Makama pick the ball up on the edge of the box before directing his strike into the bottom right corner.
After stealing possession in the final third, Preston’s Sam Greenwood saw his effort deflected wide, before two corners were dealt with by City’s backline.
After Rob Street was fouled in the final third, Sean Roughan’s inswinging free-kick bounced off the bar, going out for a goal kick.
Liam Lindsay first headed an effort over the bar before then seeing a header cleared off the line by Rob Street as Preston threatened from set pieces.
City went close just before half-time. A dangerous ball from Roughan was knocked back into the box, before Tendayi Darikwa put his effort wide of a post.
Both teams made wholesale changes at the break, City got forward, winning a free-kick but JJ McKiernan’s flick on was dealt with by Freddie Woodman in the Preston goal.
A mistake at the back from Preston allowed Ben House a chance at goal, but he put his first-time effort just over the bar.
A ball across the box from Brad Potts threatened the City goal but it just evaded Milutin Osmajic and rolled out for a goal kick.
After City won the ball back in the middle of the park, Ethan Erhahon found House on the edge of the box, before the striker fired an effort towards goal that was deflected out for a corner. The following corner was met by Freddie Draper, but the striker could only head into the side netting.
After coming on as a second-half substitute, Montsma almost doubled City’s advantage, rising highest from a corner but putting his effort over the bar.
City XI (First Half): Pardington, Darikwa, Samara, O’Connor, Roughan, Bradshaw, Gallagher, Bayliss, McGrandles, Street, Makama.
Goal(s): Makama (2)
City XI (Second Half): Jeacock, Benn, Kamara (Montsma 62’), Jackson, Bradshaw, Duffy, Erhahon, McKiernan, Moylan, House (Okoro 87’), Draper.
Preston XI (First Half): Woodman, Hughes, Lindsay, Whatmough, Seary, Paisek, Whiteman, Frøkjaer, Greenwood, Stewart, Riis.
Preston XI (Second Half): Woodman (Pradic 64’), Bauer, Keane, Brady, Thórdarson, Storey, Ledson, Holmes, Osmajić, Taylor, Potts.