Caretaker boss Gary Moran’s makeshift line-up put in a spirited performance at Ashby Avenue, but came up just short in what was overall a poor quality encounter.

The strong Lincolnshire winds and an uneven playing surface did not help contribute to the spectacle though, with United’s Kallum Smith striking the winner with six minutes of normal time remaining.

Moran’s starting line-up in the wake of previous manager James Jepson’s unexpected departure showed eight changes from the heavy cup defeat at Brackley.

This included club debuts for Tom O’Callaghan and Yannick Gomes, and also first competitive starts for youngsters Tom Fishwick and Dom Bolton.

The hosts just edged the opening exchanges, with Matt Cotton clipping the bar with a swirling cross and Jack McGovern also going close with an effort from out wide.

Smith should have done better with a shot from a decent position, before Rugby’s first real chance of the game saw David Kolodynski put one wide from just inside the penalty area after he done well to create himself some space.

Town’s first shot on target though came as the half-time whistle approached, when debutant O'Callaghan's effort was easily gathered by Lincoln keeper Mario Ziccardi.

McGovern’s strike early in the second half was saved by Louis Connor, before the visitors’ best opportunity of the game saw substitute Jon Bukasa lift one over after Kolodynski had broken free down the channel before playing his team-mate in.

Connor smothered one at the feet of Smith and Jordan Hempenstall headed over for Lincoln in rare attacking highlights from either team, with Bukasa failing to extend Ziccardi with his low shot at the other end.

However the warning signs were there for Town as the second half progressed, with Connor pulling off one superb save in particular when he tipped over Hempenstall’s contact into the ground.

Smith then struck the crucial blow on 84 minutes when he headed home Cotton’s cross to seal United’s victory.

Valley Line-up: Connor; Moran, Stringfellow, Fishwick (Bukasa), Appleton; Gomes, O'Callaghan, Bolton (Akobeto); Smithson, Woolley, Kolodynski. Subs not used: Heath, Holloway, Walker. Booked: O'Calloghan, Appleton.

Lincoln line-up: Ziccardi, Hornsey, Ward, Brooks, Jacklin, Wright, Cotton, Millard, Mullarkey, McGovern, Smith. Subs: Hempenstall, King, Maddison, Toyne, McGann.