Two goals from skipper Paudie O'Connor fired City to an impressive three points in an entertaining opening-day clash at Burton Albion.
City started well, with Ryan Sweeney nicking the ball off the feet of Tom Bayliss after he collected the ball from a one-two with Ben House. JJ McKiernan also threatened before being squeezed out as he took on three players.
The home side took the lead after five minutes when Ben Whitfield got away down the left and crossed for Billy Bodin. The initial shot was blocked by Dylan Duffy, but the ball fell to Udoka Godwin-Malife who made no mistake.
That goal could easily have rocked the Imps, but they were back on level terms in the ninth minute. Duffy’s free-kick from the right was initially cleared, but Sean Roughan rescued the ball and hooked it quickly back into the area where O’Connor was on hand to head home a perfectly-placed effort which left Isted with no chance.
It was an open game and City, buoyed by quickly drawing level, threatened further with O’Connor heading a Bayliss corner back into a dangerous area - Isted claimed the ball well - and Dylan Duffy saw a low free-kick which was aimed at the bottom-left corner deflected behind.
City had the momentum and went ahead after 22 minutes. Bayliss beat several men after collecting a clearance from George Wickens, and sent in a cross from the left which Dariwka stopped low to head home at the far post.
Both sides were intent on attacking, and Wickens came out brilliantly to smother Tomas Kalinauskas’ effort after he got on the the end of another dangerous Whitfield cross from the left.
The Brewers did draw level just before the interval when Ciaran Gilligan sent in a deep cross from the left which Bodin headed home.
There were no changes from either side at the break, and although all players had the same attacking intent it took longer for either to fashion a good goal-scoring chance.
Sweeney had to be on hand on the hour-mark to get in two vital blocks for the home side. First he was there to stop O’Connor’s header from a Roughan cross, then moments later he was the man in the way when Bayliss sent in a low fizzing effort.
And, at the other end, Wickens was out quickly to collect Whitfield’s cross from the right as the home side tried to counter.
Jack Moylan was sent on after 66 minutes, replacing McKiernan, as Imps head coach Michael Skubala looked to push the game. He almost got on the scoresheet in an immediate and unusual style as he closed down two home defenders and the ball ricocheted behind just wide of a post.
Freddie Draper and Rob Street were also sent on, with the latter creating a chance quickly after winning the ball and playing it across goal only for it to roll just behind Draper.
The Imps took the lead after 86 minutes when O'Connor rose highest at the far post to head home Bayliss' cross.
With nine minutes of time added on CIty had to dig deep, with Wickens pulling off a big save from Chauke deep into time added on to preserve the lead.
Brewers: Harry Isted, Udokwa Godwin-Malife, Elliott Watt (c), Ryan Sweeney, Tomas Kalinauskas (Jack Armer, 72), Danilo Orsi, Billy Bodin (Mason Bennett, 77), Terence Vancooten (Nick Akoto, 77), Dylan Willians, Ciaran Gilligan (Kegs Chauke, 61), Ben Whitfield. Subs not used: Max Crocombe, Rumarn Burrell, Finn Delap.
Imps: George Wickens, Tendayi Darikwa, Adam Jackson, Paudie O’Connor, Sean Roughan, Dylan Duffy, Ethan Erhahon, Tom Bayliss, JJ McKiernan (Jack Moylan, 66), Jovon Makama (Rob Street, 82), Ben House (Freddie Draper, 75). Subs not used: Zach Jeacock, Lewis Montsma, Jay Benn, Tom Hamer.
Referee: Edward Duckworth
Attendance: 5,027 (1,526 away)
