Joe Taylor clipped in the winner as Lincoln saw off Exeter 1-0 at the LNER Stadium.
Luton-loanee Taylor netted his first for the club, calmly finishing the ball over Viljami Sinisalo midway through the second half.
Jack Aitchison hit the bar for Exeter with the Grecians only clear-cut opportunity.
The first chance fell to the home side when Dylan Duffy pulled a free-kick just wide of the target. Duffy would soon slice a volley wide as the Imps took control.
The visitors scrambled the first chance of the second period as Yanic Wildschut tested Lukas Jensen at his near post.
Dion Rankine burst down the wing and picked out Aitchison inside the Lincoln area. The Scot’s side-footed effort was tipped onto the bar by the ever-alert Jensen.
The hosts carved a near-identical chance of their own when Ben House unmarked on the penalty spot was denied twice by Sinisalo, as the game came to life.
Substitute Ted Bishop soon slipped in Taylor to find the winner in some style.
