A late goal in stoppage time from Charlie Webster gave Burton Albion a 1-0 win at the LNER Stadium.
Head coach Michael Skubala made two changes from the side that swept Mansfield Town 3-0 in midweek. Sam Clucas makes his full home debut for the club in place of Tom Bayliss. Fresh off his goal in midweek, Dom Jefferies replaced Reeco Hackett out wide.
James Collins had the first effort inside the opening couple of minutes, when his strike from a corner at the back post found the side netting.
On 18 minutes, Rumarn Burrell was found in the box and flashed a shot across Zach Jeacock's goal. His blushes were spared by an assistant's flag for offside.
Jovon Makama tested visiting goalkeeper Max Crocombe on the half hour mark with his left-footed strike comfortably held by the Brewers' number one.
The opening 45 had little to shout about, but five minutes before the break, Clucas found Tendayi Darikwa in the box and his looped header was held by Crocombe.
Albion striker Jon Dadi Bondvarsson had an effort from outside the area roll past the post. On 45 minutes, Sean Roughan advanced from inside his own half to strike an effort just wide at the near post that had Crocombe at full stretch.
City thought they had taken the lead a minute after the restart when Sam Clucas danced his way into the penalty area before slotting the ball into the net from close range. Referee Ruebyn Ricardo had spotted a foul during the play and the goal was chalked off.
Imps captain Paudie O'Connor was cautioned moments later after pulling a Burton player down to the ground.
Burton's Burrell got in behind the City backline again on 52 minutes, but his volley could only find the side netting at the near post.
Sean Roughan had an effort from the edge of the area deflect off of Makama and wide at the near post, as City continued to apply pressure to the Burton backline.
On 66 minutes Burrell was teed up for an effort from the right side of the penalty area, but his effort was high and wild into the Stacey West Stand.
The Imps thought they had taken the lead for the second time when Collins bundled the ball beyond Crocombe. Unfortunately for Skubala's side the assistant had his flag up for offside.
In the second minute of added time, midfielder Webster fired an effort into the roof of the net from inside the box to give Burton Albion the win.
Imps: Jeacock, Darikwa (Hackett 64'), Jackson, O'Connor, Jefferies, House (Hamilton 80'), Roughan, Clucas (Bayliss 64'), Collins, Makama (Draper 73')
Unused subs: Pardington, Montsma, Ring
Brewers: Crocombe, Gowin-Malife, Dodgson, Sweeney, Kalinauskas (Larsson 82'), Webster, Bondvarsson (Bennett 62'), Armer, Burrell (Forde 82'), Chauke (Jones 76'), Lofthouse
Unused subs: Isted, Williams, Delap
Attendance: 8,507 (484 visitors)
