Bailey Cadamarteri rose highest to fire City into the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy.
Progression - secured following Cadamarteri's fine header after 19 minutes - was the top priority on the night, while the return of Tyler Walker and Tom Bayliss from lengthy injury absences were further positives for the Imps.
Head coach Michael Skubala made a number of changes, with Tendayi Darikwa captaining the side. Walker and Bayliss were named on the bench with the intention of being introduced in the closing stages if the status of the game allowed it.
The Imps started brightly, with home goalkeeper Stuart Moore palming away a dangerous Dylan Duffy cross in just the second minute.
Cadamarteri also had an early opportunity as he was found by Ring, with his first-time effort deflected behind.
Another good Ring delivery, after some stunning work from Ethan Hamilton to carry the ball past several players, was just ahead of Cadamarteri and Freddie Draper.
Jamie Pardington, given the nod in goal, had to be alert to palm away a Jordan Slew cross under pressure from Hallam Hope.
The decisive goal came after 19 minutes. Dylan Duffy was unperturbed by the attention of two defenders as he delivered an enticing cross for Cadamarteri. The on-loan No.9 leapt magnificently to leave defender Max Taylor behind and flicked home with his head.
City pushed for a second, with Hamilton shooting just wide after JJ McKiernan did well to keep the ball in on the left.
The visitors had the first chance of the second period as Ben Tollitt sent across a teasing cross from the right after 55 minutes. Thankfully for the Imps, the delivery just evaded Hope at the near post and Jordan Slew at the far post.
Cadamarteri would surely have slammed home his second of the match were it not for a crucial clearance from Rhys Williams. It followed a great move down the right led by Draper who fed Ring. The Swede put in an exquisite cross aimed for Cadamarteri who was steaming in with goalkeeper Moore already committed.
The Imps enjoyed some good pressure as they looked to put the game to bed, Draper going close from a Roughan cross.
The introduction of Walker added fresh legs up front, although his efforts of note were well blocked.
A good cross from right found its way through to Reeco Hackett, also introduced off the bench, whose powerful shot was tipped onto the near post by Moore.
The Shrimps thought they had levelled when Hope slid home after a knock-down - but their celebrations were cut short by the assistant's flag as he had strayed offside.
Morecambe: Moore, Taylor, Macadam (P. Lewis, 64), Hope, Slew, Harrack (White, 64) , Williams, Tollitt, Millen, Tutonda, Jones. Subs not used: Burgoyne, Hendrie, A. Lewis, Brown, Songo'o.
Imps: Pardington, Darikwa, Gallagher, Roughan, Ring, Duffy (Hackett, 68), Jefferies (Bayliss, 74), Hamilton, McKiernan (Erhahon, 42), Draper (Walker, 67), Cadamarteri (Street, 74). Subs not used: Wickens, O'Connor, Walker.
Referee: Michael Barlow
