A first career hat-trick for Jovon Makama helped City cruise to a 5-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers in an impressive performance at the LNER Stadium.
Head coach Michael Skubala made two changes from the side that took on Birmingham City, with Reeco Hackett and Tom Hamer returning to the XI in place of Ben House and Adam Jackson.
City started on the front foot with a Tendayi Darikwa cross finding Tom Bayliss at the back post, but his strike was closed down in the opening couple of minutes. Striker James Collins had a strike deflected at the near post fly into the side netting forcing a corner moments later.
On six minutes, a nice reverse pass from Bayliss found Hackett in on goal, but his effort was palmed away well by Rovers goalkeeper Ward from inside the six yard box.
Makama was next to test Ward. After strong hold up play from Jefferies in the Rovers penalty area, he found Makama and his powerful strike from the right side of the box was pushed out of harm's way as the City pressure increased.
Rovers had their first chance on 25 minutes as a corner to the back post found defender Taylor Moore, but his header was wide at the near post from close range.
City got their noses in front on 31 minutes after a superb pass from O'Connor dissected the Rovers defence before Makama held off a challenge from Mola and powered his effort past Ward to get his ninth goal of the season.
Makama turned provider four minutes later finding Collins in the box, who did well to control the ball and with his back to goal, fired an effort just over the bar.
A delightful James Collins flick gave midfielder Conor McGrandles the chance to double City's advantage, but his effort was straight at Ward just before the break.
City kept their foot on the gas at the start of the second half with James Collins testing Ward again within a minute of the restart.
The lead was doubled on 49 minutes as Tom Bayliss' corner from the left curled over everyone and bounced in off the inside of the post.
James Collins finally got his goal on 53 minutes, after more strong work from Makama on the right allowed the striker time to place a beautiful left-footed curler into the top left corner.
City goalkeeper George Wickens was called into action moments later as Ruel Sotiriou found space in the box to unleash a strike which was comfortably dealt with by City's number one.
Makama made the right wing his own and was rewarded again with another goal on 66 minutes. City's fourth came as the forward held off yet another challenge from Swinkles before smashing the ball home at the near post.
Substitute Joe Gardner kept Ward honest, as his strike at the second time of asking was pushed wide. From the resulting corner Makama collected his deserved hat-trick with ten minutes to play. Ring's delivery eventually found the forward who made no mistake with his finish into the bottom corner.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, O'Connor, Hamer, Roughan, Bayliss (Hamilton 71'), McGrandles, Hackett (Gardner 71'), Jefferies (Ring 69'), Makama (Clucas 81'), Collins (House 68')
Unused subs: Jeacock, Jackson,
Pirates: Ward, Moore (Hutchinson 57'), Wilson, Mola (Thomas 46'), Swinkles, Taylor, Butcher, Hunt, Shaw, Sotiriou (Dewsbury 57'), Sinclair
Unused subs: Hall, Senior, Sousa, Forde
Referee: Paul Howard
Assistants: Marvyn Amphlett, Oliver Bickle
Fourth official: Richie Watkins
Attendance: 8,506
