City ended their travels in 2023 with defeat at high-flying Derby County.
After an encouraging opening 10 minutes from the Imps, it was Derby who threatened first as Joe Ward’s sweeping ball in from the right had to be pounced on by Lukas Jensen to prevent Max Bird from tapping in.
The Rams created another opening a few minutes later as Tom Barhuizen took advantage of Alex Mitchell’s miscue to cut the ball back to Bird who was denied by a last ditch block from Adam Jackson.
City then opened up a decent opportunity for themselves following some build up play between Lasse Sorensen, Jovon Makama and Ethan Hamilton which saw the Scotsman’s first-time effort towards the near post denied by Joe Wildsmith.
Derby continued to grow into the game and opened the scoring in the 26th minute as Ward’s cross in from the right was flicked only as far as Conor Hourihane on the edge of the box who rifled the ball into the top left corner.
Michael Skubala’s side kept battling away but it was the Rams who almost doubled their lead as James Collins slipped Craig Forsyth into the area who rolled his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
The Imps were awarded a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time as Ward brought down Paudie O’Connor who was chasing down Ethan Erhahon’s through ball.
Danny Mandroiu took responsibility from the spot and dispatched it confidently into the bottom right corner to send the sold out away end into delirium, with Wildsmith guessing the wrong way.
City began the second half well but were unable to take full advantage as Hamilton’s effort was blocked by Eiran Cashin’s late challenge shortly before Sorensen blazed over after striking on the angle.
Derby were back in front just after the hour mark after a clever corner routine saw Nathaniel Mendez-Laing cross in for Kane Wilson to send a looping header over Jensen and across the line despite Mitchell’s best efforts at clearing.
Mendez-Laing almost had one for himself a few moments later as he raced away from O’Connor to force a good save from Jensen, with Louis Sibley only able to send the rebound wide.
Paul Warne’s side added a third in the 77th minute when Wilson picked out the run of Collins with a delicate through ball to the frontman who made no mistake by firing just inside the far post.
Derby: Joe Wildsmith, Craig Forsyth, Conor Hourihane © (Liam Thompson 90+3'), Eiran Cashin, Tom Barkhuizen (Callum Elder 80’), Max Bird, James Collins, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Tyreece John-Jules 80’), Tyrese Fornah (Louie Sibley 65’), Joe Ward (Kane Wilson 46’), Curtis Nelson. Subs (not used): Josh Vickers, Sonny Bradley.
Goals: Hourihane (26’) Wilson (65’) Collins (77’).
Imps: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, Adam Jackson, Ethan Erhahon, Ted Bishop (Hakeeb Adelakun 72’), Ethan Hamilton, Danny Mandroiu (Ali Smith 83’), Paudie O’Connor ©, Jack Burroughs (Sean Roughan 72’), Alex Mitchell, Jovon Makama (Jack Vale 65’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Dylan Duffy, TJ Eyoma.
Goals: Mandroiu (45+2’ pen).
Referee: Peter Wright.
Attendance: 27,192.