City’s County Cup campaign came to an end as they lost 2-1 to Lincoln United at Ashby Avenue.
The hosts started the game brightly and Lana Timson was forced into early action when Betsy Thomas tried her luck from range.
In the 13th minute Thomas would not be denied however as a bouncing ball into the box fell at the feet of the winger who managed to turn the ball into an empty net.
It was a largely scrappy first-half however with neither side truly able to gather any attacking momentum.
United had a couple of corner kicks to end the first 45 and in the seventh minute of injury time Becks Ward managed to scramble the ball home after a header had cannoned off the crossbar.
The Imps upped their tempo at the start of the second half with Katie Williams forcing the United ‘keeper into a comfortable stop.
The Whites threatened through set pieces all afternoon and another corner into the box was flicked wide by a United head.
Maddi Green came close to cutting the deficit in half when her corner nearly swung straight into the net but the Whites’ ‘keeper clutched gratefully onto the delivery at the second attempt.
The winger then had another opportunity when her corner kick wasn’t dealt with, and after the ball fell back to her she cut inside before curling an effort wide with the aid of a deflection.
In an effort to put the game to bed Thomas attempted to catch Timson out with a long-range strike but the ‘keeper confidently saw it past the far post.
City were starting to find their rhythm as the game wore on and Williams managed to get herself on the end of a teasing left-wing cross from Jemima Footitt, but the substitute couldn’t direct her header goalwards.
Green’s corners were the Imps’ most likely source of goal, and only a fabulous intervention on the goal-line from a United body prevented City from pulling a goal back.
The Imps finally broke through with five minutes remaining when a mistake at the back gifted Leah Hardy the chance to shoot at goal, and the forward delivered with a perfect lob over the ‘keeper.
Williams almost equalised in injury time when she drilled a half-volley wide from the edge of the box, but it ultimately wasn’t to be for Lee Mitchell’s charges.
Lincoln United: Amy Hood, Paige Crossman, Francesca Wilson, Annie Ward, Chloe Brock-Taylor, Stacey McConville, Demi Barai, Olivia Smith, Ellie Gilliatt, Lauren Churcher, Betsy Thomas.
Goal(s): Thomas (13), Ward (45).
Imps: Lana Timson, Brogan Pugh (Millie Quaintance 45’), Tilly Fantom, Ella Thompson-Moulding, Chyna McIntosh, Faith Horner, Neve Hincks (Katie Williams 35’), Leah Hardy, Maddi Green, Jemima Footitt, Toni McHamilton (Lauren Nicholson 56’).
Goal(s): Hardy (85)