City made it two home wins in a row to start the season with a 3-2 win over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.
A goal in the first half from Tom Bayliss and a second half brace from James Collins set City on their way to victory.
Argyle staged a late fightback with strikes inside the final 15 minutes from Owen Oseni and Xavier Amaecui, but their hopes of rescuing an unlikely point were all but ended when Brendan Wiredu received a second yellow card for simulation.
Michael Skubala made four changes to the side that defeated Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup last Tuesday, with Freddie Draper rewarded for his strike against the Sky Bet League Two side with a start.
George Wickens returned in goal, with James Collins named in the attack. Meanwhile, Conor McGrandles was selected to make a milestone 150th appearance for the Imps.
The Pilgrims were the first side to register an effort on target inside the opening minute, when Watts forced Wickens into an early save following a long-throw.
City took the lead just five minutes later through Bayliss, who capitalised on some hesitant Argyle defending to rifle home a low first-time effort from the edge of the box.
They could’ve added further to their advantage on 16 minutes. Collins was played through before a retreating Argyle defender managed to prevent the striker from getting his shot away. Unselfishly, he laid the ball off for Street, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.
Argyle looked to press at the other end and Towler was called into action to deny Szucs with a good block following a shot from the edge of the box on 30 minutes. Sorinola then made headway down the left flank moments later and stood the ball up for Pepple, but he could only head over.
The visitors were pressing for a leveller and 10 minutes before the break, Wickens was called on to prevent them from finding it. Mumba broke through the middle and after riding a couple of challenges, laid the ball for Amaecui, who forced Wickens to keep out his low effort.
It was City’s turn to attack three minutes later, with Ashby-Hammond tipping Collins’ long-range effort round the post and that would prove to be the final opportunity of the first half.
Half time: Imps 1 Plymouth Argyle 0
The first chance of the second period fell City’s way with 54 minutes gone. Bayliss rolled a free kick into the path of Draper, who saw his strike blocked by Sorinola.
Argyle went straight down the other end, with Amaecui breaking into the area and curling an effort wide of the target.
The attacker was made to rue the missed opportunity on 59 minutes, when City doubled their advantage. Reeco Hackett won back possession on the left flank and stood the ball up for Street at the far post. He forced an excellent reflex save from Ashby-Hammond, but he could only push the ball out to Collins, who capitalised on the rebound from close-range.
Seven minutes later, City had the chance to put further daylight between themselves and the visitors when Wiredu handled in the area and was shown a yellow card. Collins stepped up from the spot and made no mistake, sending Ashby-Hammond the wrong way to make it 3-0 to the Imps.
The Imps were well in control and could’ve added a fourth when Ben House saw his powerful drive beaten away by the keeper, before Street saw the rebound blocked.
The visitors pulled one back with 12 minutes left when Amaecui played Oseni through on goal and he kept his cool to slide the ball past Wickens to make it 3-1. And just seconds later, it was 3-2, when Amaecui bent the ball into the far corner inside the final 10 minutes.
Argyle were piling on the pressure in pursuit of a leveller, but their task was made harder with four minutes to go, when Brendan Wiredu was shown a second yellow card for simulation, after going down in the area, with that effectively ended his side’s hopes of grabbing a point.
Full time: Imps 3 Plymouth Argyle 2
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Towler, Hackett (Ring 73’), Bayliss, Collins (House 69’), McGrandles, Bradley, Street, Hamer, Draper (Hamilton 73’).
Subs: Jeacock, Okoro, Okewoye, Carlisle.
Plymouth Argyle: Ashby-Hammond, Wiredu, Szucs, Amaecui, Mumba, Watts (Oseni 57’), Boateng, Ibrahim (Roberts 46’), Pepple (Finn 57’), Sorinola, Palsson (Galloway 46’).
Subs: Baker, Benarous, Oseni, Hatch.
