City were made to share the points with Northampton Town following a late equaliser in second half stoppage time.
The first shot on target went in favour of Northampton when Tyreece Simpson capitalised on a slip up from Sean Roughan midway inside City’s half before drilling his effort low into Lukas Jensen’s gloves.
The Cobblers had another chance in the 14th minute after Jack Burroughs' defensive header fell to Mitch Pinnock on the edge of the box whose powerful volley went narrowly wide of the post.
Despite the early pressure from the hosts, it was the Imps who opened the scoring. Ethan Erhahon found Reeco Hackett on the edge of the area who took a touch before striking high into the top right corner to net his second goal in as many matches.
City could have had a second just after the 30 minute mark as Ben House brought down Sean Roughan’s long ball forward but the frontman could only fire into the side netting of Max Thompson’s goal.
Another chance for the Imps came in the 37th minute when Burroughs got to the byline before crossing in for House who couldn’t generate enough power behind his effort to trouble the goalie.
The Cobblers went close themselves shortly afterwards when a failed free-kick fell to Marc Leonard outside of the area who sent a driven effort through the bodies and wide of the post.
Just before the break Jon Brady’s side almost levelled through Kieron Bowie’s fizzing strike wide of the mark followed by Hoskins’ looping header onto the roof of the net in stoppage time.
Northampton had a golden opportunity after the break when Pinnock was played through on goal, but a combination of Jensen’s smart save and goalline clearances from Paudie O’Connor and Ethan Hamilton kept the slim lead intact.
Leonard was next up to test the Imps’ resilience in the 62nd minute after he turned away from his man on the edge of the area before seeing his effort held comfortably by Jensen.
The pressure continued from Jon Brady’s men and they hit the woodwork in the 70th minute following a deep corner towards Sam Sherring who rose high to nod the ball against the base of the post.
City hit back following some substitutions and added a second with 12 minutes of normal time remaining as Lasse Sorensen’s looping delivery into the middle was thumped home by Paudie O’Connor.
The Cobblers pulled one back in the 86th minute as TJ Eyoma’s defensive header dropped to Louis Appere inside the box who managed to fire the ball high into the net to set up a nervy ending.
In the second minute of second half stoppage time Pinnock found space to try his luck from distance but Jensen managed to get down well to his left and keep the effort out.
Northampton equalised with the last chance of the game as the ball was bouncing freely in a busy box for Hoskins to lash it home and rescue a point for his side.
Northampton: Max Thompson, Jack Sowerby (Will Hondermarck 90’), Sam Sherring, Sam Hoskins ©, Mitch Pinnock, Manny Monthe, Tyreece Simpson (Louis Appere 70’), Kieron Bowie (Max Dyche 90’), Marc Leonard, Akin Odimayo (Aaron McGowan 76’), Patrick Brough. Subs (not used): Peter Adimbola, James Dadge.
Goals: Appear (86’) Hoskins (90+8’).
Imps: Lukas Jensen, Jaden Brown (Tyler Walker 46’), Ethan Erhahon, Reeco Hackett (Ali Smith 76’), Ethan Hamilton (Ted Bishop 76’), Danny Mandroiu (Lasse Sorensen 66’), Paudie O’Connor ©, Jack Burroughs, Ben House, TJ Eyoma (Adam Jackson 90’), Sean Roughan. Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Dylan Duffy.
Goals: Hackett (22’), O’Connor (78’).
Referee: Ollie Yates.
Attendance: 6,188 (786 away).