Lincoln City had to settle for a 1-1 draw against bottom of the table Shrewsbury Town, missing the opportunity to relegate Michael Appleton’s side.
The Imps would have sunk Shrewsbury to Sky Bet League Two with victory, but were pegged back after hitting the front.
Lincoln took an early lead, thanks to a tidy finish from midfielder Tom Bayliss against his former club. He picked the ball up after Shrewsbury lost possession in their own half, punishing the visitors with his third goal of the season.
The hosts continued to apply early pressure, despite not doubling their advantage.
City were made to pay for this when Aaron Pierre levelled for the visitors. He netted on what was his 150th Shrewsbury appearance, following a scrappy sequence in the box.
There was some initial confusion as to whether the equaliser had stood. Lincoln ‘keeper George Wickens was left on the floor after a potential foul in the build up, but Shrewsbury’s goal stood.
Despite a flurry of chances for both sides, the teams were level at the break.
Lincoln started the second half strongly, with a plenty of possession in the final third.
Imps head coach Michael Skubala ran a series of changes in an attempt to retake the lead. However, Shrewsbury defended like a team fighting for their lives, making it especially difficult for the Imps.
Both goalkeepers were tested throughout the second half, with Wickens and counterpart Jamal Blackman proving valuable for their teams.
City dominated the last quarter of the match especially, desperately seeking to make a breakthrough.
Defender Lewis Montsma squandered a chance on the 74 minute mark, marking the closest the Imps came to claiming a victory.
Shrewsbury’s point prolonged their unlikely survival race for another week, as they remain 12 points away from safety under recently-appointed former Imps manager Appleton.
Ultimately, a brave defensive performance from Shrewsbury was enough to frustrate the hosts, with the match ending all square.
Lincoln return to action on Good Friday, travelling to play-off pushing Reading.