Chasetown’s first chance came when Mark Branch picked up a Ross Miller cross in the first minute, but struck tamely at home keeper Mario Ziccardi.

Dean Perrow, on his return from an ankle injury, then stabbed a Branch free kick goalwards at the near post but the flag was up for offside.

Richard Batchelor was the next man to go close as the Scholars continued to dominate with an early burst of attacking play, but Ziccardi plucked his shot out of the air.

Ben Steane was a star for the visitors as he covered almost every inch of the pitch through the first half, his display featuring several mazy runs through the Lincoln defence, one of which saw him send in a perfectly placed cross but there was no-one near to provide the finishing touch.

On 29 minutes Perrow latched onto a long ball and cut through the home defenders, but Ziccardi cleared when the striker was at the point of shooting.

Steane impressed again with a quick free kick after Branch was fouled on the left, and with the United defence caught napping Perrow broke through again but was denied by the offside flag.

The Whites had the first chance of the second half when Stuart Reddington headed a cross wide of the mark, which sent the Scholars right back into attacking mode with Danny Smith and Perrow both going close.

Chasetown then suffered a double blow as firstly Perrow went down with a calf injury on 69 minutes and five minutes later Miller was bundled into the advertising hoardings. The enforced double change unsettled the Scholars slightly and Lincoln began to see more of the ball, but the visiting defenders were soon back on the pace.

Steane cut in from the left on 77 minutes but was brought down on the edge of the area, and despite the travelling Chasetown fans appealing strongly for a penalty a free kick was given which Steane sent over the bar.

Three minutes later Batchelor pulled the ball back to substitute DAVE EGAN 12 yards out and the Scholars returnee side-footed it past Ziccardi.

The hosts began to fight back but Steane then unleashed a lob from inside his own half after spotting Ziccardi off his line, but fortunately for the United keeper the ball went wide.

Lincoln: Ziccardi, Machin, K Smith, McDaid (c), Wilkins, Reddington, Hawley, Melton, Forrester, Cann, O’Halloran. Subs: Porter (K Smith 80), George, Zuerner, Troughton, Schofield (Hawley 73).

Chasetown: Price, Miller, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Teesdale (c), Steane, Bragoli, D Smith, Perrow, Batchelor. Subs: Harris, Milligan, J Branch (Miller 74), Egan (Perrow 69).

Goals: Egan 80

Referee: Mr M Jones

Attendance: 190