Despite a narrow 2-1 defeat to Sporting Khalsa at Moorlands, Lee Mitchell was delighted with the Imps’ battling display.

City initially took the lead in the first half, but conceded twice in the second 45. Nevertheless, Mitchell was happy with his side’s defensive resilience.

Mitchell said: “Khalsa had to work for those goals, they didn’t carve through us and they found it difficult to break us down.

“It was fine margins, and the fight we showed in the first half was great. We fought hard and the girls showed great character, and we were in the game right to the end.”

Mitchell commended City’s first half performance after Maddi Green's header had given them a 28th minute lead.

He added: “I was pleased with many aspects, and pleased with the way the players responded from last weekend.

They’re one of the top teams in the league and they have been taking teams apart, but they didn’t do that to us.”

Lauren Nicholson made her first senior appearance for the Imps against Khalsa, assisting Maddi Green’s goal. Mitchell was delighted with her performance in the game.

He said: “We see her in training so we know what she’s capable of. She held the ball up, fought for it, did some clever little plays and played a key part in the goal to set Maddi up.

"She’s come into the first team, fought hard, bided her time, got in the starting line-up, and it’s going to take some beating to get her out of there, so I was really happy with her performance.”