City fell to defeat on the opening day of the 23/24 season - losing at promotion-hopefuls Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton made a very fast start to the new campaign and took the lead in the fourth minute when Aaron Morley’s corner to the centre of the box was glanced in towards the far post by Jack Iredale.
A few days after signing a contract extension with the Imps, Ben House looked to pull his side level when he worked a shooting opportunity for himself, but the forward could only rifle his effort into the side netting.
The Trotters caused more trouble for City in the 10th minute when Kyle Dempsey’s low shot across goal was saved by Lukas Jensen and swiftly cleared away by Adam Jackson before a Bolton attacker could follow up with the rebound.
Dion Charles was next to try his luck when he found a yard of space on the edge of the box to strike at goal, although his bending effort whistled past the top right corner.
Bolton enjoyed larger spells of possession in the first half and looked to carve open another opportunity when Randell Williams exchanged quick passes with his team-mates before having his shot deflected for Jensen to easily claim.
In the 42nd minute Ian Evatt’s side had a big chance to make it 2-0 as Josh Dacres-Cogley’s delivery from the right found Williams at the back post who could only send his free header over the crossbar.
Charles had the first real opportunity of the second half when he used some neat footwork to lift the ball over a defender on the edge of the box before firing over the target.
The hosts continued to pile the pressure on after the break, with their next effort coming from Williams who pounced on a blocked shot before seeing his own goalbound effort deflect behind by TJ Eyoma.
Bolton then won a corner a few minutes later after Morley’s fierce strike from 20 yards out was pushed wide of the near post by Jensen. The delivery came into the box and was met by Victor Adeboyejo who headed down into the bottom corner to extend the Trotters’ lead.
TJ Eyoma went close to pulling one back for his side when he travelled to the edge of Bolton’s box before striking a powerful effort over the crossbar.
The hosts added a third with just over 15 minutes left to play as Kyle Dempsey’s low inviting delivery from the left was unavoidably turned into his own net by Paudie O’Connor, who had an attacker behind him ready for a simple finish.
Bolton: Nathan Baxter, Gethin Jones, Jack Iredale, Ricardo Almeida Santos ©, Josh Sheehan, Dion Charles (Cameron Jerome 83’), Josh Dacres-Cogley, Victor Adeboyejo (Dan Nlundulu 78’), Aaron Morley (Paris Maghoma 78’), Kyle Dempsey, Randell Williams. Subs (not used): George Thomason, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Will Forrester, Zak Ashworth.
Goals: Iredale (4’), Adeboyejo (59’), O’Connor (74’ OG).
Imps: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, Adam Jackson, Ethan Erhahon, Ethan Hamilton (Jovon Makama 87’), Danny Mandroiu (Ali Smith 81’), Paudie O’Connnor ©, Ben House, Tyler Walker (Reeco Hackett 46’), TJ Eyoma, Sean Roughan. Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Dylan Duffy, Jay Benn, Oisin Gallagher.
Referee: Will Finnie.
Attendance: 20,143.