Freddie Draper headed home his first goal of the season to seal victory at Preston North End.
Draper struck from an Andrei Coubis throw-in with 10 minutes to go at Deepdale to claim all three points in an entertaining encounter.
It was only the fifth time the Imps had ever won at this famous stadium, and the first time since the opening day of the 1995/96 season when Dean West's strike sealed a 2-1 win.
There were eight changes to City's line-up from Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at Premier League side Bournemouth, with three names different to the league game with Southampton the previous Saturday. Tom Bayliss, Reeco Hackett and Deji Elerewe were the three to start at Deepdale who had not begun against the Saints at the ProAmpac Stadium.
City were the first to threaten, as Ben House got on the end of a Hackett cross after three minutes. The assistant's flag was up, although the header did not test Iversen.
The home side enjoyed earlier pressure as they tried to stamp their mark on the game, with Elerewe clearing a dangerous cross looking for Johnny Kenny. Sonny Bradley also blocked a sweeping shot from Alfie Devine, with a backpedalling George Wickens taking no chances as he tipped over Andrija Vukcevic's cross-cum-shot.
Wickens also had to be alert to tip over a strong shot from Stanley Mills after a quick counter from the Lilywhites.
The Imps threatened with a Hackett cross looking for the run of Street, with a home defender nipping in to concede a corner.
And, after 25 minutes, referee Stephen Martin harshly ruled Hackett had fouled home keeper Daniel Iversen when he spilled a cross from Bayliss under pressure. Hackett had challenged for the ball, and ultimately hooked the ball over while trying to force it home.
Oyegoke could not keep his header down from a Street cross after 32 minutes while, two minutes later, the home defence eventually scrambled the ball away as Elerewe and Hackett threatened from an Andrei Coubis throw.
There were no changes from either side at the break. The home side threatened first and forced the Imps to defend four corners in quick succession. Wickens stood firm to turn away Kenny's close range effort in what was their best chance in that time.
City grew into the second half, with Conor McGrandles getting a shot away which Iversen did well to block. The rebound fell agonisingly just out of reach for House.
The Imps made a double change on the hour mark, sending on Ivan Varfolomeev and Freddie Draper.
City were growing in confidence, without testing Iversen but enjoying enough of the game to prompt a treble change from the home side - with Jusuf Erabi, Leo Leroy and Delano Burgzorg all sent on.
The game opened up more as the second half progressed, with the Imps looking increasingly threatening. Chieo Ogbene, who had come on in place of Hackett, led a counter attack well which saw House denied.
And Ogbene also forced a good save with his feet from Iversen with 10 minutes to go.
And City took the lead from the resulting throw-in. Coubis' long throw was headed straight in by Draper, who flicked home from close range.
Moments later the offside flag was up against House as he tried to chest the ball back into the path of Draper, looking for his second.
City defended with real determination and belief in the closing stages, and ultimately saw out the victory without Wickens being forced into a save.
Preston North End: Iversen, Vukcevic (Small, 72), Clarke, Devine, Lang (Erabi, 64), Store, Thompson (c), Mills (Hughes, 77), Gibbs (Leroy, 64), Offiah, Kenny (Burgzorg, 64). Subs: Nicholls, Velentin, Linday, Moran.
Imps: Wickens, Reach (Towler, 88), Coubis, Hackett (Ogbene, 68), Bayliss (Varfolomeev, 59), McGrandles, Bradley (c), Street (Draper, 59), House, Elerewe, Oyegoke (Jefferies, 68). Subs: Gauci, Ladefoged, Olaofe, Konak.
Referee: Stephen Martin.
Attendance: 14,701 (1,670 away).
