A first half strike from James Wilson was not enough for the young Imps on Saturday morning, as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Hull in their Football League Youth Alliance fixture.
Wilson had won a penalty in the 24th minute then prodded in the rebound when the keeper palmed out his spotkick. That equalised Hull's opener from just a minute before, but a deflected effort from McCafferty on 37 minutes ultimately proved enough for the young Tigers.
Despite a second half which was closely contested and always entertaining, City could find no way back into the game.
Match report by Dan Mooney:
The match at Winterton Rangers' smart West Street ground was preceded by an impeccably observed minute's silence in honour of Keith Alexander.
Once underway it was the Imps who seized the initiative. Sam Turner's low shot was tipped around the post after four minutes, then Enstone headed the corner-kick wide.
Midway through the first half Hull took the lead in controversial circumstances. Midfielder Holohan thumped a fierce shot against the legs of his teammate Cullen, who was in space and apparently well offside.
To the striker's credit he had controlled the ball, swivelled and expertly finished within the blinking of an eye. But the young Imps will be aggrieved to have gone behind in such a manner.
Seconds later, Wilson broke forward from his left wing berth and tumbled to ground under the attentions of his marker. After momentary hesitation the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Wilson, having dusted himself down, forced the ball over the line at the third attempt.
With both teams demonstrating total commitment and no little ability, Hull edged back in front on 37 minutes. Opening goal scorer Cullen bravely charged down Jack Thomas' clearance on the edge of the box and the ball broke to Frazer McCafferty in the inside right channel.
His low shot smacked off the shin of Fitzpatrick, giving Draper no chance on its way into the bottom corner.
Sadly events were overshadowed as it turned out Mark Cullen had been seriously hurt in challenging Thomas. In obvious discomfort, the young man was applauded as he left the field on a stretcher and was quickly taken to hospital in an ambulance.
For the remainder of the delayed first half and the entirety of the second, the game was evenly poised.
Nick Draper prevented the Imps falling further behind when he tipped a fizzing drive over on 68 minutes, then 10 minutes later saved a curling free kick which had eluded everyone on its way through.
Meanwhile Arran Brookbanks threatened with a tenacious solo run on the hour mark. Holding off the defender and riding the challenge of the goalkeeper he got a shot on target, but a back peddling defender scrambled off the line.
On 76 minutes Brookbanks drew a foul on the left wing and Cunningham whipped the free kick right across goal. Sam Turner retrieved the ball and returned it straight back from the other wing.
This time Cunningham hit a booming shot which was on target, but Hull's keeper clawed it away.
As Lincoln pressed for an equaliser it took a tremendous sliding tackle from Turner - who suddenly appeared in the sweeper position - to stop Clarkson extending Hull's lead in injury time.
The young Imps are back in action next week at Doncaster Rovers.
Imps U18s (4-4-2): Nick Draper; Kieran Heap (Danny Coupland 89), Greg Enstone, Connor Fitzpatrick, Jack Thomas; Sam Turner, Karl Cunningham, Nathan Adams, James Wilson (Jake Gibson 53); Rob Brewer (Reece Thompson 66), Arran Brookbanks
Unused subs: Kerry Nicholas (gk), Jack Davies
