Imps head coach Michael Skubala felt there was plenty to learn as his side were edged out 3-2 at promotion contenders Stockport County on Saturday.
Ben House and Erik Ring scored first-half goals for City but Dave Challinor's side fought their way back to clinch victory in the end.
Skubala said: "I felt we looked good in the first half, we had control and threat in behind, scoring two really good goals. We wanted to come here and have a real good go.
"We just conceded too early in the second half and if that was another 20 minutes later, it could have been a very different game. They brought power and pace off the bench and caused us problems after that. Then they got their second and it was tails up.
"We almost got a point near the end with Jack Moylan hitting the post. We were a whisker away from a point in the end - it's frustrating because we want to win but we learned loads today about what we need to be. It would have been easy to come here with a back five and sit in, but we tried to have a go."
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Scorer of the first goal, House added: "It's disappointing because in the first half we were excellent but in the second 45 it was about keeping that energy and belief. They're a really good team and obviously playing for something, but it was tough to take. We were all gutted in the changing room after.
"We had to get tighter to them in the box and defend a lot better as a team. It is definitely something we have to be a lot better at next season."
See full post-match reaction from Ben House on Imps+. Click here to log-in.
