LINCOLN City grabbed all of the points at the Pirelli Stadium as Albion were defeated 1-0 by the ten man Imps in a scrappy encounter.
After the visitors had seen Alex Mitchell red-carded midway through the first half it became something of a slog for both sides but Reeco Hackett gave the Imps victory on a disappointing afternoon for the Brewers.
Martin Paterson handed first starts to Tolaji Bola and Ademola Ola-Adebomi after both came off the bench for debuts at Cambridge United while Kyle Hudlin, newly arrived on loan from Huddersfield Town was handed an immediate debut leading the attack. Deadline day signing, Antwoine Hackford started on the bench. With Bola in for the suspended Steve Seddon, Joe Hugill and Mason Bennett dropped to the bench, which had an attacking look to it.
Albion made a promising start and a delicious ball in from Powell was just too far in front of both Hudlin and Ola-Adebomi in the middle.
Jasper Moon picked up an early yellow card for a rash challenge on Ted Bishop before Max Crocombe came up with an outstanding piece of reaction to get down low and push away a close-range effort from Lasse Sorensen. Deji Oshilaja also picked up a yellow, breaking up the threat of a quick counter through the centre.
Albion had strong shouts for a penalty on nineteen minutes when John Brayford seemed to be bundled over whilst jumping for a ball at the back post. Referee Jeremy Simpson quickly ruled it out giving Albion nothing more than a corner.
Albioj continued to press and Bola was unlucky to see an effort on the turn deflect behind for a corner on 25 minutes.
In a scrappy game it was Lincoln who were reduced to ten men on 29 minutes when Alex Mitchell picked up two quick yellow cards, the second for a none too subtle wrestle on Ola-Adebomi.
The Crystal Palace loanee almost managed to deceive Lukas Jensen in the Lincoln goal with a deft header before Lincoln finished the half on the attack and treally should have grabbed the lead on the stroke of half time, skipper Adam Jackson tamely heading straight at Crocombe from close range.
HALF TIME: BURTON ALBION 0-0 LINCOLN CITY
Albion made a change for the second half with Bobby Kamwa adding another attacking option on the right-hand side replacing Jake Caprice.
Lincoln then squandered another good chance when a free kick found Ethan Hamilton well placed and with a sight of goal, but he wastefully lifted his effort well over.
As Albion looked to capitalise on their man advantage it was the Imps who grabbed the lead on 54 minutes, capitalising on a loose ball in midfield the ball was quickly shifted out to the right to HACKETT and he stepped inside and fired a low effort that crept in.
Albion’s afternoon took another took when Moon went to ground in discomfort and was unable to continue forcing a reshuffle as Mustapha Carayol came on.
Mason Bennett and Joe Hugill were then introduced on the hour mark as Hudlin and Oshilaja left the action.
Hackett forced a good stop from Crocombe with a stinging shot as the visitors sensed a chance to put the game to bed.
Albion threw on Hackford for his debut with eighteen minutes to go as they continued to search for an equaliser.
Try as they might Albion could not break down a resolute Lincoln defence and a first defeat at five at the Pirelli was confirmed after nine minutes of added time.
ALBION: Crocombe; Moon (Carayol, 58), Brayford, Sweeney; Caprice (Kamwa, 46), Powell, Oshilaja (Bennett, 60), Helm (Hackford, 72), Bola; Hudlin (Hugill, 60), Ola-Adebomi.
Substitutes: Blackman, Harper.
GOALS: LINCOLN – Hackett (54)
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
Attendance: 3,995