Charley Kendall’s first goal for City helped fire his side into the second round of the Carabao Cup after a comprehensive win at Doncaster Rovers.
A stunning solo strike from Ted Bishop followed by an Anthony Scully effort ensured it was ultimately a comfortable night in South Yorkshire for Mark Kennedy’s side.
Head coach Kennedy made five changes to the starting line-up, with Adam Jackson, Sean Roughan, Anthony Scully, Chris Maguire and Kendall coming into the side.
Jackson also took the captain’s armband as he partnered Paudie O’Connor in the centre of defence.
City started brightly, with crosses from Roughan and TJ Eyoma inside the opening few minutes that only just eluded Maguire and Kendall.
With the Imps looking confident in possession it was no surprise that they took the lead after 12 minutes. Some confident play down the left ended with Ted Bishop pulling the ball across the area for Kendall to finish from close range to mark his first competitive outing for the club with a strike.
Bishop almost got on the scoresheet himself after 18 minutes, lifting his effort - which he tried to place into the top right corner- just wide after some good play between Scully and Roughan.
With temperatures still high the game was played at a slow pace, with the visitors creating their first chance after 26 minutes when Adam Clayton sent an effort well over.
Kendall was not too far from getting his second of the match after 42 minutes, with Scully's cross from the left just too far ahead of him after the ball was well won at the half-way line by Maguire.
And O’Connor almost got off the mark for the season, too, as he poked the ball over from Maguire’s delivery back into the area following Max Sanders’ free-kick.
City were forced to make one change just before the break, with Jackson taking a knock and needing to be replaced by Regan Poole.
The visitors opened the second half brightly, with a stunning run from Bishop leading to him doubling his side’s lead.
He picked the ball up in his own area before blasting past Harrison Biggins then, with the two centre-halves slow to close him him down, he calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner past Mitchell.
The game was more open now, with Lee Tomlin trying a mazy run of his own but his finish lacked enough pace to trouble Carl Rushworth.
City’s first corner, won by Roughan off Williams, caused some consternation as Poole got on the end of the delivery - he sent the ball over and his arguments that he was pulled back came to nothing.
Moments later the home side won a corner as Scully blocked a cross from Kyle Knoyle, Clayton’s delivery was too deep and Bishop almost sent Scully clear with a quick counter - with Mitchell having to be alert to come out and clear the ball into the stands.
A short clearance from the home side presented Tashan Oakley-Boothe with a chance to get his first Imps goal after 58 minutes, but his effort went over.
The third goal was not too far away, though, with another quick move down the left seeing Scully sent clear down the left. He played the ball across for for Maguire whose first-time shot was stopped by Mitchell, but Scully maintained his run and was left with a straightforward tap-in to get himself off the mark for the campaign.
That was Scully’s final action int he game, as he and Bishop made way for Lasse Sorensen and Ben House before the game had restarted.
By now it was game management from the Imps. Kyle Hurst tried a shot from distance which was no danger for Rushworth.
And the match presented the perfect opportunity for Jovon Makama and Morgan Worsfold-Gregg to come off the bench for the final 10 minutes to make their Imps debuts.
Attendance: 4,006 (1,032 away)
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