City were knocked out of the Vertu Trophy despite a performance of real attacking intent against Bolton Wanderers.
It was a quick start from Michael Skubala’s side, with midfielder Ethan Erhahon having the first effort of the game within two minutes. He was teed up by Jack Moylan on the edge of the box, but his strike was blocked wide for a corner.
The Imps came close to one of the goals of the season on seven minutes, as a sharp turn from Reeco Hackett allowed the winger to play the ball to Makama, who in turn laid it off to Moylan. His first time cross rolled across the penalty area, inches from a sliding Freddie Draper at the back post, as City continued to apply the pressure.
Ethan Hamilton intercepted a loose pass in the midfield and decided to go alone. Unfortunately, his effort which was off-balance curled wide of Luke Southwood’s post.
Hackett was next to have a go, as a cross fell kindly to the Imp. His effort was deflected at point blank range by a defender and was held comfortably by Southwood.
The visitors' first chance of the game fell to club captain George Thomason on 20 minutes. Aaron Collins advanced deep into the City half before finding Thomason on the right. His effort fizzed across the box and wide.
City responded well with Freddie Draper having a strike from distance fly just over the bar from more than 20 yards.
Bolton took the lead through Collins after 22 minutes. The ball fell kindly to him originally, getting to a loose ball ahead of goalkeeper Zach Jeacock. Defender Adam Jackson blocked the original shot from Collins superbly, before the ball found Collins’ feet again. At the second time of asking, the forward’s effort found the back of the net from inside the box.
City thought they had levelled the tie on 34 minutes when Reeco Hackett found the back of the net following a short corner. However, after the referee consulted with the linesman, the goal was chalked off for an offside.
Jovon Makama saw his volley deflected narrowly wide on 42 minutes as the Imps went into the half-time break behind.
It was a slower start to the second half, with neither side finding the chances they were able to in the first. Ethan Hamilton had a half-volley bounce wide of the mark on the hour mark, not troubling Southwood.
City head coach Michael Skubala made a quadruple change with 20 minutes to play, as City looked to turn the tie in their favour.
Defender Sean Roughan drove from inside his own half into the penalty area before unleashing a lazor-like strike, testing Southwood at full stretch. The Bolton goalkeeper did well to tip the ball over the bar and for a corner.
Imps: Jeacock, Darikwa (Jefferies 72’), Jackson, O’Connor, Roughan, Erhahon, Hackett (Duffy 72’), Hamilton (Bayliss 72’), Moylan, Draper (Cadamateri 79’), Makama (House 72’)
Unused subs: Pardington, McGrandles,
Bolton: Southwood, Jones, Thomason, Santos, Johnston, Osei-Tutu (Schon 80’), Dacres-Cogley, Lolos, Collins (Mendes Gomes 73’), Matete, Adeboyejo (McAtee 73’)
Unused subs: Baxter, Forrester, Williams, Shaples Ahmed
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 2,252 (419 away)