Lincoln fell to just their second loss in nine games as they met League leaders Chesterfield on Saturday.
The Spirerites, who hadn’t won in five, started the game brighlty and took the lead just quarter of an hour in to the game. Imps ‘keeper Trevor Carson misjudged a backpass from Julian Kelly, the ball ricocheting off his knee and straight to Chesterfield striker Craig Davies. He took it past the on-loan Sunderland stopper and rolled it into the empty net.
Just four minutes later the striker had a chance for his second. Adam Watts needlessly hauled him down inside the box but Carson redeemed himself as he dived to his left to smother the poorly struck penalty.
This seemed to spur the Imps on and they started to push forward, but without really threatening.
As the game approached half time, both teams played some good attacking football but it was only the League 2 leaders who really threatened. Trevor Carson continued to redeem himself with a string of fine saves to make sure City went in at half time just one goal behind.
The second half started slowly but it didn’t taken long for Chesterfield to find their first half form and neither did Carson who was more than a match to the Spirerites efforts.
With fifteen minutes to go Tilson’s men started to push forward in search for an equaliser with Ben Hutchinson replacing the fading McCallum.
However, the game was put beyond doubt with just seven minutes remaining as Dean Holden rose highest from a corner to head home for the visitors.
Despite the loss Tilson was still pleased with the effort from the Imps as they more than matched a team that were runaway leaders just weeks ago and still sit clear at the top.
The only downside for the homeside was the withdrawal after twelve minutes of Gavin Hoyte, The full back had only just returned from injury and Tilson is waiting on the extent of the damage.
City have a rest midweek for the first time in five weeks and they face bottom side Barnet on Saturday.
