City put in a much-improved performance against Solihull Moors but were unable to fight back and claim a point at Lincoln Moorlands.
Eden Pedersen’s first-minute strike fired the Imps ahead, but a leveller from Zoe Creaney and a freak Ellie Bruton strike saw the visitors take victory.
City got off to a flying start at Moorlands as ,within the first minute of the game, Pedersen slammed the ball into the top right corner for her first goal of the season.
As the game got back underway, the away side enjoyed a short spell of possession which culminated in a volley being struck across the face of City’s goal. The Imps almost doubled their lead in the 10th minute, courtesy of a header from Solihull’s Demi Walker, which travelled past the goalkeeper and was off target.
After some half chances for the hosts, Solihull won themselves a free-kick in the final third of the pitch. The resulting set piece was taken advantage of by the visitors, as a Bruton cross was headed home by Solihull captain Creaney to level the game up.
The game was then halted after Millie Fugler went down as a result of a collision with an opposing player. She had to leave the pitch due, with Rachel Howes replacing her in the 24th minute.
City were able to breach the Solihull defence in the 32nd minute when Pedersen and Chantelle Robinson linked up well and found Rousseau, who shot just past a post. Shortly afterwards, it was Toni McHamilton’s turn to have an effort at goal, which this time went agonisingly wide.
Lee Mitchell’s side were now enjoying a spell of prolonged possession and nearly made it count in the 37th minute, when Robinson attempted to round Harley Savage, but the ball was smothered by the Moors keeper.
The visitors forced n opportunity to go ahead on the stroke of half-time when Tiana Russell-Cartwright was played through on goal, but her effort skimmed off the crossbar and over.
That strike of the woodwork was the last real chance of the first half, as the teams headed in at the break all square.
Jess Rousseau was nearly sent through on goal as the second half resumed, but Savage did well to collect.
With the game on a knife-edge Lana Timson was forced into a save in the 55th minute, as she tipped the ball over the bar for a Solihull corner. The resulting set piece was floated in by Bruton and, as both sets of playera tried to make contact, the ball found itself in the back of the net straight from the corner.
The home side were now behind, and looked to make substitutions to try and restore a footing in the game. Maddi Green replaced Rousseau in the 62nd minute, with a second change coming shortly after as Sinead Fletcher entered the pitch in place of Pedersen.
As City tried to find the leveller, the majority of their attacking threat was coming from the left flank. They were keeping Solihull penned inside their own box but the away side were trying their best to slow the game and ease the pressure.
The Imps continued to test the Solihull keeper and, in the 71st minute, Green sent a powerful cross into the top of the net and over.
A third substitute was made inside the last 10 minutes, with Abi Ringrose coming on for Katie Williams. This was followed by attempts at goal from McHamilton and Robinson, which were saved by the goalkeeper.
As the game headed to its conclusion, Leah Hardy tried her luck with a shot from range which was collected by Savage. Further crosses into the box in added time pressurised the Solihull defence, but it was not to be for City
