Exeter City 0, Lincoln City 1
Tom Hamer's first-half header was enough to seal three points as the Imps matched their club record unbeaten run and extended their lead at the top of League One.
Hamer's header - from an Adam Reach free-kick - settled the match, which was the 19th consecutive league game without defeat. Closest rivals Cardiff City drew 1-1 away at Barnsley.
Head coach Michael Skubala made three changes from Saturday's win at Cardiff City, with Ryan Oné coming into the side for his second City start, while Tom Bayliss and Jack Moylan also returned to the starting XI.
Imps took the lead around the half-hour mark via a set-piece. Moylan was fouled in a wide left position, providing a perfect opportunity for Reach to deliver a ball into the area where Hamer stooped to head the ball into the bottom left corner.
The hosts made a concerted effort to get back into the game as the clock ticked on with new manager Matt Taylor making a triple change 10 minutes into the second half, but City withstood the pressure and Skubala reinforced tired legs by sending on Dom Jefferies, Ryley Towler and Reeco Hackett.
Skubala said: “You have to come to these places on the road and dig it out, this group has the determination to do that and has done it again. They’ve all put a big shift in.
“They were sensational in that sense - Exeter had more territory but we didn’t give up big chances. We were brilliant at heading the ball out of the box when needed and the substitutes all came on and played their part.”
Skubala (below) has been nominated for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month award for February.
The Imps collected 13 points from five undefeated games, including big scorelines against Plymouth Argyle, Northampton Town and Blackpool, as well as a 2-0 away victory at Mansfield Town.
Attendance: 5,612
Pictures: Vaughan Photography
