Ten-man City fell to defeat at Bolton Wanderers.
Bailey Cadamarteri had the Imps’ first effort of the game but hit into the side netting after a strong drive forward by Sean Roughan.
George Wickens made a crucial intervention after Klaidi Lolos pulled a ball back just a few yards away from goal, preventing it reaching the Wanderers attacker waiting for a tap in.
Ben House fired over from close range after an initial header from Lewis Montsma wasn’t fully dealt with by Nathan Baxter.
Bolton took the lead after 36 minutes through a pinpoint long range strike from Aaron Collins which bounced off a post and in.
Collins had a chance to double the hosts’ lead but hooked his effort over bar under pressure from Lewis Montsma.
Ethan Erhahon was sent off just after the half-time whistle due to a second yellow card.
Bolton doubled their advantage when Jay Matete's deflected effort found the back of the net early in the second half to effectively kill off hopes of a fightback from the visitors.
Although City battled hard to get back into the game, with Cadamarteri having a chipped effort cleared, the hosts added a third through Matete.
Jack Moylan, one of the substitutes introduced by Michael Skubala, threatened to get through in the closing stages.
Bolton: Baxter, Thomason, Almeida Santos, Johnston, Dacres-Cogley (Osei-Tutu 73’), Lolos (Mendes Gomes 80’, Toal (Forrester 63’), Collins, Schōn (Williams 73’), Matete, McAtee (Charles 73’). Subs (not used): Jones, Mendes Gomes, Arfield.
City: Wickens, Darikwa (Jefferies 73’), Montsma, Erhahon, Hackett (Moylan 59’), Cadamarteri (Jackson 59’), Hamilton (Bayliss 59’), McGrandles, O’Connor, House (Makama 68’) , Roughan. Subs (not used): Pardington, Draper.
Referee: Ross Joyce.
Attendance 22,395 (845 away).
