Freddie Draper scored a brilliant decisive goal as City made it back-to-back league wins with a 1-0 success at Northampton Town.
The Imps threatened first through Rob Street, as the forward found room down the right flank before aiming a cross towards Reeco Hackett at the far post, but it was just over him.
On five minutes, a cross was aimed from the right flank, this time by Tendayi Darikwa towards Hackett. He headed wide of the target, but was flagged offside.
In the 10th minute, City went close again when a Cobblers defender made a crucial tackle to prevent James Collins threading the ball through for Hackett.
Nevertheless, at the other end, Tyrese Fornah went through one-on-one with George Wickens, but the City 'keeper stood tall to make an excellent save to keep the scores level.
The next opportunity came in the 19th minute. Hackett was at the heart of the attack again. He and Collins exchanged a slick one-two before Hackett took aim, firing just wide of the target.
In the 20th minute, City took the lead in style through Draper. After excellent link-up play between Darikwa and Street, the former put in a superb cross towards Draper, who applied a finish on the half-volley, which kissed a post before nestling into the net.
Five minutes later, the Imps continued to play on the front foot and could have further added to their advantage with two big chances falling their way. Firstly, Draper directed a header on target which was cleared off the line, before Collins shot over.
After 36 minutes, a Cobblers attack resulted in a corner to the home side, which was cleared as far as Terry Taylor. He took aim from the edge of the area, but his effort was deflected into Wickens.
Just before half-time, the hosts threatened to level. Cameron McGeehan got a strike away from close-range which was kept out by Wickens. Then, the corner was cleared as far as the Cobblers skipper but he could only lift his effort over.
After a dominant first half showing, City had to show a different side to their game in the second period, but showed resolve to withstand the hosts' attacks and limit their opportunities.
It began with another Northampton chance. Draper made a goal-saving contribution after City tried to clear a corner from the right and the ball fell to a claret shirt, with the Imps striker taking the full force of the resulting shot square in the face.
On 63 minutes, there was a double Imps change as Ben House and Ethan Hamilton came on for Draper and Tom Bayliss.
Ten minutes later, the Cobblers won a corner which was met by Michael Forbes, but Wickens was able to claim the header.
Not long after that, a long ball into the area found it's way to home substitute Elliott List, who could only nod wide of the target.
The Imps make a further alteration in the 83rd minute as Frankie Okoronkwo replaced Collins to make his Imps debut a day after signing on loan for the season from Everton.
Northampton continued to threaten but a combination of Wickens and Tom Hamer prevented McGeehan from levelling things for the home side, clearing the danger away from the goal line after the ball broke for him in the penalty area.
In the 90th minute, Fornah dug out a cross from the left towards substitute Tom Eaves, who was beaten to it by a strong Wickens punch.
There were six minutes of stoppage time for the Imps to withstand, but they managed to hold on to secure all three points on the road.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Towler, Hackett, Bayliss (Hamilton, 63), Collins (Okoronkwo, 83), McGrandles, Bradley, Street, Hamer, Draper (House, 63).
Subs: Jeacock, Ring, Okoro, Okewoye.
Northampton: Burge, Burroughs (Perkins, 76), McCarthy, Campbell, McGeehan (c), Guinness-Walker (Hoskins, 76), Fornah, Forbes, Wheatley (List, 76), Taylor (Eaves, 84), Dyche.
Subs: Fitzsimons, Willis, Wormleighton.
Attendance: 5,729 (626 away).
