Lincoln set a new club record of 20 league games unbeaten thanks to a 3-1 League One win over Stockport after late goals from Tendayi Darikwa and substitute Alfie Lloyd settled a hard-fought affair in their favour.

Jack Moylan’s early goal at the LNER Stadium was cancelled out by former Imps loanee Jack Diamond and while County looked the more likely to secure the points, City’s late show cemented their place at the top of the table.

Tom Hamer’s near-post flick from Reeco Hackett’s pass flew just over early on, before Moylan’s stinging low drive brought a good save out of visiting goalkeeper Corey Addai.

From the corner, a goalmouth scramble ensued and Moylan smashed home a shot from close range to put Lincoln ahead in the 11th minute.

Oliver Norwood fired narrowly over for Stockport after 25 minutes as they enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Imps stopper George Wickens kept the hosts ahead with a fantastic one-handed save from Kyle Wootton’s bullet header, just before the hour mark.

Rob Street crashed a shot against the crossbar five minutes later, but then Stockport equalised in the 68th minute.

Ben Osborn’s perfect cross found Diamond, who headed past Wickens into the far corner of the net – the first time the hosts had conceded a goal in over 520 minutes.

In the 88th minute, though, Darikwa struck goalwards and a wicked deflection saw his effort beat the wrong-footed Addai and then in stoppage-time, strong play from Lloyd saw him beat the Hatters defence before he drove his shot into the net.