City's assistant professional development phase coach Fred Wright praised his side's application, despite a 1-0 loss to Mansfield Town.
A set-piece midway through the first half proved to be the difference in a tight contest, with Wright highlighting the performance of the defence for praise.
He said: “We defended well, we knew how they’d try and play a little bit more direct so we set up in a way where we could stop that and jump their fullbacks a little bit early.
"The back three did well, especially Lynden Huggins who is starting to really grow into being a scholar in academy football - he was extremely good for us.”
Timi Bada was a key performer throughout the game and Wright commended the young winger on his performances of late.
Wright said: “Timi is always a threat on the ball. In the first half he was effective in our build-up, found little pockets of space where he could receive the ball off Sammy Corkill and he has been extremely important for us recently."
The attentions of the young Imps now turn to Wednesday evening where they take a trip to the Sun-Hats Villas & Resorts Stadium to face Lincoln United in the Lincolnshire County Cup.
Wright added: “The boys must look back at the game against Stevenage last week and take inspiration from that coming into this game, showing real character.
"I think as much as the result didn’t go our way the performance overall was much more positive than it was negative especially in possession.”