The Under-18s recorded a fine 5-3 success at Mansfield Town on Saturday morning in their latest Football League Youth Alliance fixture.
Andy Hutchinson led the way with a hat-trick whilst Nathan Adams also weighed in with a couple. The victory, however, was marred when Greg Enstone was sent off for two bookable offences.
Report and reaction with Aron Hegarty.
Grant Brown says his young team can do better in spite of their resounding win at the weekend.
The Under-18s recorded a fine 5-3 success at Mansfield Town on Saturday morning in their latest Football League Youth Alliance fixture.
Andy Hutchinson led the way with a hat-trick, whilst Nathan Adams also weighed in with a couple. The victory, however, was marred when Greg Enstone was sent off for two bookable offences.
Brown though was critical in his assessment of his team's performance and says they need to tighten up at the back and improve their work rate.
He said: "We played well and took our chances. But we can do better in defence and we need to work harder when we don't have the ball."
The Imps made a slow start with Mansfield passing the ball around well and they took the lead in the sixth-minute. City though found their feet and equalised soon after.
Hutchinson made a run past the defender and calmly applied a the finish to draw Lincoln level on 12 minutes.
City were then let off the hook when the Stags missed a penalty, but from the resulting counter attack they took the lead. Adams broke through and found himself one-on-one with the keeper before slotting home.
It was 3-1 on 35 minutes when a through ball found Adams, who fed Hutchinson and the young striker finished well.
"There was a big slope on the pitch and we were playing uphill in the muddy conditions," said Brown of the first-half.
"So to go in leading 3-1 at the break was pleasing. We were in control of the game, but I told the lads that the next goal would be crucial."
The Stags came out in the second-half and caused the City defence problems. They got a goal back to make it 3-2, but Lincoln responded well.
A great take from Adams set up Hutchinson again, who scored to restore the Imps' two goal advantage.
But Town replied with fine free-kick to make it 4-3 before Enstone was given his marching orders for his second booking after a rash challenge.
Despite playing with 10 men for the remainder of the game, City wrapped up the win with an exceptional goal.
Great interplay from Adams and Hutchinson in the 84th-minute resulted in the latter finishing to seal his hat-trick and a 5-3 scoreline.
"The form of Adams and Hutchinson up front was very pleasing and its good to have Kern back from injury," said Brown.
"Jack Thomas put in a very good performance and the two central midfielders also coped well in a difficult game."
The Imps' next game is against Scunthorpe United at home on Saturday. City were held to a goalless draw when the sides last met at the end of October.
But it was a match full of intensity and, with the Iron defeating Burton Albion 2-1 at the weekend, Brown is expecting a tough game.
"We've to bare in mind the Reserves are playing in midweek so we may not have a few players," he said ahead of next weekend's local derby.
"Scunthorpe will cause us problems, they've got good players and play good football. If we prepare right we should get a result, but more importantly, produce a good performance."
City's next Football League Youth Alliance game is at home to Scunthrope United on Saturday (Kick-Off 11am).
Lincoln: Draper, Heap, Thomas, Cobb, Davies (Miller 60), Enstone, Wilson, Downey, Adams, Hutchinson, Gibson. Subs: Nicholas, Turner, Brewer, Brookbanks.
