Jack Moylan produced another memorable moment to ensure City a deserved point at Bristol Rovers.
Moylan - introduced off the bench in the second half - cancelled out Shaq Forde’s first-half strike.
Head coach Michael Skubala made four changes, with Lewis Montsma, Ethan Hamilton, Ben House and Dom Jefferies coming back into the side. Dylan Duffy also returned to the bench after a lengthy injury.
The opening stages were very even, with Luke McCormick firing over early for the hosts and CIty’s first chance coming after five minutes when House broke away down the right but his cross was just too far ahead of Jovon Makama.
Good pressing from them both resulted in a chance moments later as Makama threatened to latch onto a short backpass intended for goalkeeper Josh Griffiths - but the former Imp loanee was out quickly to clear.
Both sides were pressing high up the pitch making for a fascinating tactical encounter. More than 22 minutes were on the clock before the home side threatened again, with McCormick glancing a header wide from Clinton Mola’s chipped delivery into the area.
City looked particularly threatening on the counter, with home captain James Wilson alert to stop Makama getting onto House’s delivery after he was sent away down the right by O’Connor.
The home side took the lead after 35 minutes. Forde won the ball just outside the area and slotted home.
City pushed to draw level before the break, with House sending an effort over the bar from Sean Roughan’s free-kick and the Pirates’ Connor Taylor doing enough to dislodge Makama from getting a shot away after House’s first-time cross from the right.
There was again an even opening to the second period, with City threatening from set-pieces into the area without carving out a clear opportunity.
The House and Makama partnership again threatened on the counter - with Jamie Lindsay intercepting House’s pass, looking for his strike partner, after he’d brilliantly controlled the ball to get away from a home player.
O’Connor flicked a header over from a Jefferies corner just before the hour mark. The set-piece was Jefferies’ last contribution to the match, as he made way for Moylan.
Moylan had an almost instant impact as he drew City level after 64 minutes. Hackett played him in just inside the area, and the Irishman did brilliantly to cut inside his man to create space before finishing with a low effort.
Skubala switched up his front line in an attempt to push the game and take the lead, bringing on Bailey Cadamarteri and Freddie Draper while allowing House and Makama a well deserved rest.
The Imps had their tails up now, with Hackett seeing a shot deflected.
Griffiths did well to hold a Draper header after 75 minutes, after Tendayi Darikwa’s cross from the right.
Taylor had to show his strength after 82 minutes to prevent Draper getting a shot away.
And Griffiths had to be alert to punch away a dangerous Hackett cross after 86 minutes after Draper had ben squeezed out from getting a shot away.
Bristol Rovers: Josh Griffiths, Taylor Moore, James WIlson (C), Clinton Mola, Connor Taylor, Chris Martin (Bryant Bilongo, 78), Isaac Hutchinson, Kamil Conteh, Luke McCormick (Michael Forbes, 70), Shaq Forde (Ruel Sotiriou, 86), Jamie Lindsay (Grant Ward, 78). Subs not used: Lino Sousa, Scott Sinclair, Jake Garrett.
Imps: George Wickens, Reeco Hackett, Sean Roughan, Paudie O’Connor (c), Lewis Montsma, Tendayi Darikwa, Conor McGrandles, Dom Jefferies (Jack Moylan, 59), Ethan Hamilton (JJ McKieran, 86), Jovon Makama (Bailey Cadamarteri, 66), Ben House (Freddie Draper, 66). Subs not used: Jamie Pardington, Erik Ring, Dylan Duffy.
Official: Dale Baines
Attendance: 7,264
