The Imps earned a place in round two of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, with Mark Kennedy applauding the academy graduates who played their part in the victory.
Jovon Makama and Morgan Worsfold-Gregg both made their debuts at the Eco-Power Stadium as City beat Doncaster Rovers 3-0.
He said: “A huge plus for us was the homegrown players. I would like to pick out Jovon Makama, Sean Roughan and Morgan Worsfold-Gregg in particular.
“We do not just throw players on for them to get minutes, it is not an academy exercise. People who come on are there on merit and that was really evident from what they have done so far.
Kennedy was pleased with the way his side won in South Yorkshire and particularly praised Charley Kendall’s contributions to all three goals.
He continued: “I thought that Charley Kendall was excellent. It was his run down the side that gave Ted Bishop the opportunity to come inside and then Charley also affected the centre half for the third goal as well.
“Not everyone will see it but Charley played a massive part in all three goals that we scored.
“People will walk away and say that he scored but it was the other two things that are really important to me as well.”