Despite an equaliser from Anthony Scully, a double from Callum Lang and a Will Keane goal saw table toppers Wigan Athletic leave the LNER stadium with a 3-1 win.
Prior to the game, the Imps were sat in 18th place whilst the visitors knew a win would boost their title charge.
Michael Appleton made two changes to the team who drew at Fleetwood, bringing in Ted Bishop and Liam Cullen for John Marquis and Tom Hopper.
Lincoln started brightly but it was Wigan who took the lead after 8 minutes. Callum Lang found space at the back post and calmly hooked the ball past Jordan Wright into the bottom left corner. Lincoln City 0-1 Wigan Athletic.
A very heavy challenge from Tom Naylor on Chris Maguire resulted in referee Scott Oldham awarding the first yellow card of the game.
The fast start to the game continued as Lincoln equalised on 14 minutes. Lewis Fiorini’s deflected effort fell to Anthony Scully who had time to control and calmly slot the ball past Ben Amos. Lincoln City 1-1 Wigan Athletic.
Lincoln were only level for six minutes as the Latics retook the lead through Will Keane. Callum Lang found the Republic of Ireland international who expertly finished into the top right corner from just inside the box to score his 21st goal of the season. Lincoln City 1-2 Wigan Athletic.
The visitors were looking to add to their lead before the break with Keane nearly claiming his second goal of the game forcing Wright into a strong save from 12 yards out.
Ted Bishop almost put his side into the break on level terms striking a fierce volley towards goal but Amos preserved his sides lead palming the effort around the post.
HALF TIME: LINCOLN CITY 1-2 WIGAN ATHLETIC.
As the rain began to pour down Wigan got the second half underway with both sides knowing the importance of getting the next goal.
Like the first half strong challenges were coming in from both sets of players and Kell Watts and Jason Kerr received yellow cards in quick succession for challenges on Chris Maguire and Lewis Fiorini.
Jordan Wright was called into action on the hour mark when he made a spectacular save to claw away a header from Josh Magennis which looked destined for the top corner.
Less than a minute later Lincoln had a huge penalty shout waved away by Scott Oldham when Ted Bishop was bundled over in the box, a decision which angered the home support.
The Wigan pressure continued, and Lang grabbed his second goal of the game on 72 minutes. The winger was played through on goal and hit a powerful right footed strike in off the left-hand post to the delight of the 1,270 travelling fans. Lincoln City 1-3 Wigan Athletic.
On 78 minutes in a push to get something from the game, Appleton brought on striker duo, Tom Hopper and John Marquis for Ted Bishop and Liam Cullen.
Marquis nearly made an instant impact when Maguire’s free kick was spilled by Amos but he couldn’t react quickly enough to direct the ball home.
The last 10 minutes saw very few chances with Leam Richardson’s side happy to hold on for the three points.
The defeat sees the Imps stay in 18th place, with a trip to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth coming up on Friday night.