ALBION slipped to a first defeat in six games as TJ Eyoma's first half header proved enough to give a confident Lincoln City side all three points

The visitors looked slick and purposeful throughout and when Eyoma headed home a first professional goal it gave them a platform for the rest of the game and although Albion battled back in the second half they could not find a way through a well drilled Imps rearguard.

For the second home game in four days boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink opted for a totally unchanged eighteen as his Brewers side went in search of a result that would mathematically guarantee League One status for another season.

After a brief early stoppage for an injury to City's Morgan Rogers it was the visitors who started to look the more dangerous despite an initial flurry of Albion pressure. Hayden Carter twice had to make important interceptions to prevent Lincoln from producing a scoring opportunity and the big defender was soon to be found looping a header well over the bar from Tom Hamer's driven cross as Albion looked to mount an attack for themselves.

Skipper Conor McGrandles fashioned the first real opportunity to test Ben Garratt on the quarter of an hour mark but his rasping drive from the edge of the box took a couple of deflections before sailing wide of the Burton goal.

Lucas Akins almost got onto the end of a neat ball into the box on 19 minutes but Imps keeper Alex Palmer was on his toes to come out to the penalty spot to smother the chance.

Lincoln were moving the ball around with the confidence of a side going for the play-offs and dangerman Anthony Scully worked his way into a shooting position only for his rising effort to be deflected but Lincoln only had to wait another minute for their goal. More patient passing around the box allowed Tayo Edun to curl a cross to the back post that allowed EYOMA to stoop to head home from close range.

Albion broke forward quickly from the restart and Sean Clare blazed a speculative effort comfortably over the crossbar in the moments after the goal.

The visitors continued to dominate and Albion needed something to change the flow of the game. They were forced into a change just before half time when Michael Mancienne limped gingerly from the pitch to be replaced by Terry Taylor and the visitors almost doubled their advantage prior to the whistle, James Jones only denied by a fine block from former Imps man Michael Bostwick from 15 yards out.

Half time: Burton Albion 0-1 Lincoln City

Albion began the secon half more brightly with Danny Rowe quickly on the front foot running at the Imps defence befrore Taylor saw a shot blocked and Sean Clare fired another effort wide of the target.

Lincoln threatened again and only a superb challenge by Tom Hamer denied Scully what would have been a clean run through on goal but on the whole it was Albion looking much more positive with Lucas Akins drilling an effort juts over the bar and JOhn Brayford storming forward from right back to fire wide.

Albion's goal lived something of a charmed life just before the hour as Rogers and Jones both failed to catch hold of their shots properly but still caused some nerves at the back for the Brewers.

Hasselbaink rolled the dice with a couple of changes on 63 minutes, Ryan Broom and Joe Powell sent on in the wide attacking roles in place of Rowe and Akins.

Lincoln continued in search of a second goal and Garratt got everything behind a smart effort from Jones whilst Rogers first just wide from the edge of the area.

Albion had strong shouts for a penalty on 73 minutes when Powell appeared to be bundled over but referee Josh SMith waved away the appeals after a moments consideration.

Mike Fondop was also thrown on late on in place of Ryan Edwards as Albion went two up top for the closing stages to try and rescue something but the visitors saw out the game take the points.