A heavily changed Lincoln City side all but confirmed their progression in the Vertu Trophy after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Manchester United 21’s.
Second half goals from Tom Hamer, Erik Ring and Reeco Hackett kept them top of Group D in the Northern section as Michael Skubala made 11 changes from the side that beat Peterborough United.
Most notably deadline day signings Dexter Lembikisa and Justin Obikwu both gained their first starts as the later led the line with Erik Ring operating just behind.
It was an eventful first half for the man leading the line as Obikwu had the chance to put the Imps ahead early when he went one-on-one with William Murdock.
Murdock then did well ten minutes later to tip his powerful effort onto the post from 12-yards out after Oscar Thorn crossed from the right.
His final and biggest chance of the half then came on the half-hour mark when he did well to beat his man inside the area but could only find the arms of Murdock from close range.
They were the only real involvements of the first as William Scanlon bent an effort wide of Zach Jeacocks far left-hand post and Lembikisa fired wide from distance.
A first half with few clear-cut chances then went in goalless at the break with the visitors most likely the happier of the two sides.
Half-time: Lincoln City 0-0 Manchester United U21’s
Despite that, it was a fast start to the second half for the Imps as captain on the night Tom Hamer headed home from a corner just two minutes into the half to open the scoring.
The Imps then needed to work to maintain their lead as the visitors applied pressure over the next ten minutes.
Lewis Montsma was forced to head the ball off the line after Jack Fletcher struck powerfully following a short corner.
A sweeping move just past the hour mark then put the game to bed as good linkup play down the right allowed Lembikisa to lift the ball to the back post from the by-line
Erik Ring was waiting to volley into the floor and onto the cross bar to score his first goal of the season.
Just four minutes later good linkup play through the middle between substitutes Freddie Draper and Reeco Hackett released the later through the middle, but he dragged his shot wide.
However, he did eventually manage to turn home with just two left minutes when he calmly bent the ball into the far-left post before it bounced into the back of the net.
It was an eventful six minutes of injury time as Rob Street fired straight at Murdock before Bendito Mandato broke up the other end and fired powerfully at Jeacock to end the game.
Full Time: Lincoln City 3-0 Manchester United U21’s
It was a routine victory for the Imps, against a youthful Manchester United side, despite a slow start but a clinical game in front of goal saw them remain at the top of Group D.
With six points on the board and Barnsley losing to Notts County tonight the Imps mathematically can’t finish outside of the top two on points.
The side now look to extend their nine game unbeaten league run on Saturday when they welcome bottom half side Exeter City to the LNER Stadium.