City showed their battling qualities as they fought back to earn a place in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Two quickfire goals from Crawley Town - with 10 and 13 minutes on the clock - had given them a 2-0 lead at Broadfield, but the Imps fought back to level before the half-time interval then blew their hosts away with their own quick start to the second half.
Paudie O'Connor started the fightback, with Jovon Makama levelling the score before Erik Ring and Jack Moylan made the difference right at the start of the second period.
All goals had their merits, but Ring's thunderous finish to put City into the lead quickly after the restart will get the most attention in the highlights packages.
The first chance of the match fell to the Imps, with Jovon Makama getting on the end of an exquisite cross from Sean Roughan. Eddie Beach, the Crawley keeper, got down well to palm the side-footed effort behind.
The ball was headed back into the area by O'Connor following Roughan's corner, but it fell just behind his team-mates.
Two goals inside four minutes gave the home side the advantage in the tie. Bradley Ibrahim was forced wide after 13 minutes by some strong Imps defending, but Ade Adeyoma's cross from the left found Jack Roles who finished smartly into a bottom corner. Three minutes later a punt forward found Ibrahim, who slotted home to double Crawley's advantage.
That was a blow for City, but they were determined not to let the tie get away from them. Ethan Hamilton epitomised the reaction, winning the ball back off Jeremy Kelly before trying a low shot which Beach tipped behind.
And, with 19 minutes on the clock, City pulled a goal back after O'Connor looped home a head from Jack Moylan's left-wing cross.
Both sides looked to add to their goal tally, with the Imps enjoying some good possession and pushing the home side back at times.
Freddie Draper tried his luck with a powerful low shot which was held by Beach, while it took a brilliant tackle from Kelly after Moylan found Erik Ring who threatened to break through on goal.
The equaliser came after 39 minutes, again after a good spell of pressure form the Imps. Makama applied the finish with a flicked header to Darikwa's cross from the right.
And the home side were relieved when referee Sunny Gill blew for the half-time whistle - with only a brilliant save from Beach keeping the score level.
He did well to deny Draper after his bullet header from a Lewis Montsma corner, then was superb to deny Darikwa from close range.
City started the second half brightly, with two quickfire goals of their own to take control of the match.
The first followed a long throw from Roughan. The ball was flicked towards Ring who hit a stunning shot from outside the area which left Beach with no chance.
And, two minutes later, Beach was again picking the ball out of the back of his net after a smart move down the right. Makama's cross from the right was flicked on by Ring to Moylan, who turned home to make the score 4-2.
City looked in control now and the most likely to extend their lead. Hamilton drew another good save from Beach after 56 minutes with a low drive which had the home keeper scrambling.
And O'Connor threatened to get his second of the game - with another good stop from Beach to deny the Imps skipper from a Moylan free-kick.
Moylan also lifted an effort just over following a good move in partnership with Ring, with the move having started by Erhahon winning the ball back inside his own half.
Skubala made his first changes of the match with 20 minutes to go, bringing on Reeco Hackett and and Bailey Cadamarteri to take on the tiring home defenders.
And Hackett almost made an immediate impact with a low effort which Beach again did well to get down and palm away.
City had controlled the game well, but a stunning strike from Kelly after 82 minutes set up a nervy finish as the home side pushed to keep the tie alive.
But City controlled the final stages well, with Hackett, Cadamarteri and Roughan all going close to extending the lead.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Montsma, Erhahon, Hamilton, Ring (Jefferies, 84), O'Connor (Jackson, 79), Roughan, Makama (Hackett, 70), Moylan (McKiernan, 79), Draper (Cadamarteri, 70). Subs not used: Pardington, Street, Walker, McGrandles.
Crawley: Beach, Tanimu, Mullarkey, Barker, Mukena, Adeyemo (Khaleel, 79), Ibrahim, Kelly, Roles, John-Jules, Showunmi. Subs not used: Wollacott, Bragg, Anderson, Fish, Holohan.
Referee: Sunny Gill
Attendance: 2,831 (427 away)