Lasse Sorensen struck twice in the first half as the Imps picked up all three points at home against Cheltenham Town.
Jovon Malcolm had the first effort at goal as he charged into City’s half before twisting and turning away from Ethan Hamilton to fire over the crossbar.
Shortly after this Mark Kennedy’s side took the lead when Ted Bishop picked out Lasse Sorensen with a clever pass to the unmarked Dane inside the area who fired low inside the far post.
City controlled the game in the early stages and limited Cheltenham to few chances, as Rob Street and Liam Sercombe’s deflected shots caused little worry for Lukas Jensen.
The Imps doubled their lead in the 21st minute as Hamilton picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park before playing the ball to Hackett who slipped in Sorensen on the right to send an angled shot past Southwood.
After setting one up, Hackett went very close to scoring one of his own minutes later after he cut in from the right to lash a ferocious effort inches wide of the far post.
The Imps were good value for their lead and could’ve added a third just before the break as Hakeeb Adelakun’s long throw was met by Paudie O’Connor, however he couldn’t generate enough power on his header to trouble the goalie.
It was a measured approach from the Imps at the start of the second half who continued to hold their shape well and frustrate the visitors who were looking for a way back into the match.
Adam Jackson almost put the game out of sight in the 65th minute after he rose highest to meet Sorensen’s cross towards the back post, however his header dropped the wrong side of the post.
The Imps were denied a third goal two minutes later when Hamilton’s low delivery into the middle of the six-yard box was turned in by Adelakun who was flagged offside by the linesman.
Oli Hammond went close to pulling one back for his side with five minutes remaining after his effort from inside the box was initially fumbled by Jensen before the Dane reclaimed the loose ball.
City stood firm in the closing stages to see out the win and return to winning ways at the LNER Stadium.
Imps: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, Adam Jackson, Sean Roughan, Paudie O’Connor ©, Jaden Brown (Jack Burroughs 78’), Ethan Hamilton, Ethan Erhahon, Reeco Hackett (Danny Mandroiu 61’), Ted Bishop (Ali Smith 61’), Hakeeb Adelakun (Jovon Makama 78’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, TJ Eyoma, Dylan Duffy.
Goals: Sorensen (5’, 21’).
Cheltenham: Luke Southwood, Sean Long, Owen Bevan, Lewis Freestone, Liam Sercombe (Curtis Thompson 74’), Aidan Keena (Josh Williams 34’), Rob Street, Will Ferry, Dan Adshead (Oli Hammond 67’), Elliot Bonds, Jovan Malcolm (Nathan Butler-Oyedeji 67’). Subs (not used): Max Harris, Ben Williams, Curtis Davies.
Referee: Ben Atkinson.
Attendance: 7,220 (118 away).