Mide Shodipo’s late strike at the back post helped the Imps to a draw at home to Port Vale.
After an intense start to the game Vale almost went ahead as Tom Sang’s cross from the right bounced through to Alfie Devine whose diving header was tipped onto the inside of the post by Lukas Jensen before City managed to clear.
Dylan Duffy aimed to build on his Man of the Match performance on Tuesday night as he sent a low delivery from the left to an unmarked Ali Smith who blazed his shot over the crossbar from a few yards out.
The Valiants had the next best chance in the 33rd minute as Ben Garrity and Alfie Devine combined nicely before the latter sent an inviting ball to Uche Ikpeazu who couldn’t find a way past Jensen’s outstretched leg.
Andy Crosby’s side found the breakthrough a minute later though as Ethan Chislett’s delivery from the right came to Garrity in the box who guided the ball into the bottom left corner.
City forced a good save from Conor Ripley just before the break as Lasse Sorensen played the ball forward to Duffy whose fierce effort from the edge of the box had to be beaten away by the goalie.
Vale were reduced to 10 men shortly after the restart as Oliver Arblaster was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Ethan Erhahon in the centre of the pitch.
The Imps took confidence from this and were awarded a corner in the 50th minute which was headed out to Sorensen on the edge who took a touch before skying his shot over.
Smith then looked to trouble the Port Vale goal with a long-range effort which was tipped over by Ripley, with Paudie O’Connor then shown a straight red for an off-the-ball incident with Ikpeazu.
Crosby’s side almost doubled their lead as Chislett’s cross from the byline dropped to Ikpeazu who was denied by a strong hand from Jensen who got down well.
City then went up the other end in search of a leveller as Dylan Duffy cut in from the left but was clipped, leaving Adelakun to pick up the pieces and sweep his angled effort over the crossbar.
The Imps kept battling late on and found an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time as Jack Vale got away from his man to dart down the wing before teeing up Shodipo at the back post to fire home.
City: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, TJ Eyoma, Adam Jackson, Paudie O’Connor ©, Jack Burroughs (Danny Mandroiu 56’), Ethan Erhahon (Mide Shodipo 89'), Ethan Hamilton, Ali Smith (Jack Vale 67’), Dylan Duffy, Hakeeb Adelakun (Jovon Makama 78’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Sean Roughan, Alex Mitchell.
Goals: Shodipo (90+3').
Port Vale: Conor Ripley, Lewis Cass, Tom Sang, Ben Garrity (Tom Conlon 83’), Ethan Chislett (Gavin Massey 71’), Alfie Devine, Uche Ikpeazu (Ryan Loft 71’), Funso Ojo ©, Oliver Arblaster, James Plant, Jesse Debrah. Subs (not used): Jayson Leutweiler, Rhys Walters, Ben Lomax, Josh Thomas.
Goals: Garrity (34’).
Attendance: 7,751 (607 away).
Referee: Craig Hicks.