Forest Green Rovers will consider themselves unlucky to come away from Sincil Bank empty handed after an impressive performance against the league leaders.

Lincoln City opened the scoring through John Akinde as he got in behind the FGR defence and lobbed Sanchez, but Reece Brown got the visitors back level just four minutes later.

Rovers impressed for large portions of the encounter but their hard work was undone as substitute Kellan Gordon tapped home the winner with less than 20 minutes to play.

Mark Cooper made three changes to the side that beat Exeter City at St James Park as the injured Liam Shephard made way for Theo Archibald with Carl Winchester moving to right wing-back.

With Lincoln City sitting top of the table and Forest Green on good form and inside the play-off places, it was always going to be an exciting encounter and the opening 15 minutes certainly lived up to expectations.

Harry Toffolo looked to demonstrate his ability early on and with five minutes on the clock he looked to have got the better of Nathan McGinley having chased down a long ball, but the Rovers man did well to recover, preventing the right-back from breaking into the area.

Three minutes later the hosts took the lead as a long ball forward caused confusion between Gavin Gunning and Robert Sanchez, allowing Akinde to get between them and fire the ball high, up and over the FGR goalkeeper before it dropped into the net.

It didn’t take long for Forest Green to respond though and with 12 minutes on the clock they were back on terms.

Nathan McGinley’s excellent ball down the line found Joseph Mills and although his low cross was palmed away by Josh Vickers in the Lincoln goal, the ball dropped for Brown on the edge of the area and the in-form midfielder fired his third goal in as many games, into the top corner.

Shortly before the 20th minute Forest Green had a chance to take the lead for the first time as Tahvon Campbell won a free-kick 30 yards from goal, but Dayle Grubb’s dipping effort drop narrowly wide.

With 24 minutes on the clock Lincoln looked like they might go ahead again as Lee Frecklington flicked a corner towards the back post but digby was able to hook the goal-bound ball clear.

A brilliant set-piece from a 30th minute corner saw Brown have another chance at goal as Lloyd James’ corner was allowed to run by both Grubb and Campbell but FGR’s goal scorer fired over.

Brown rounded off an exceptional half of football by almost finding the net with a spectacular strike from range but his 30-yarder rocketed towards the far top corner before bouncing back off the crossbar.

The second half started as a quieter affair although Forest Green were clearly dominating possession they were struggling to create a clear chance, Winchester being limited to a shot from range after 61 minutes, but it flew over.

With a little over 15 minutes to play the hosts stunned Forest Green as a ball over Gunning’s head was picked up by Shay McCartan and his low ball towards the back post was slotted home by substitute Gordan with his first touch of the ball.

A number of late changes from the bench and six minutes of added time looked to give Forest Green a chance to claim back a point but it wasn't to be as the Imps defence remained steadfast.

Attendance: 8542 (119 away)

Referee: Anthony Blackhouse

Man of the Match: Theo Archibald

Lincoln City XI: Vickers, O’Connor, Shackell, Pett, Frecklington, Andrade, Toffolo, Wilson, Bostwick, Anderson, Akinde

On the bench: Slocombe, Gordon (Anderson 71’), Wharton, Rhead, Green (Akinde 81), McCartan (Frecklington 59’), Mensah

Forest Green Rovers XI: Sanchez, James, Winchester, Grubb, Brown, Campbell, Gunning, Archibald, McGinley, Digby, Mills

On the bench: Montgomery, Rawson, Williams (Archibald 85’), Pearce (Grubb 87’), Worthington, Morris, Reid (Campbell 75’)