Lincoln held off a spirited late Leyton Orient fightback to secure a fine 2-1 win at Sincil Bank.
Michael Skubala’s Imps kept up the pace in the early promotion race as they extended their unbeaten run to seven games.
Orient defender Tom James almost caught the hosts out from a quick corner routine as his dipping strike hit the bar in the first half.
Jovon Makama broke the deadlock in the 47th minute as he poked home after Tom Hamer headed Tendayi Darikwa’s cross back across goal.
Buoyed with confidence after his opener, Makama came close to a second when he burst clear before firing wide.
Young gun Freddie Draper scored his second goal in three games as he thumped into the bottom corner after Erik Ring’s pin-point pass.
Dan Agyei gave the visitors a late glimmer when he halved the deficit, as he latched onto Charlie Kelman’s header, in the 81st minute.
Lincoln needed stopper George Wickens in stoppage time as he kept out Kelman’s header before a brilliant stop to deny Dialling Jaiyesimi’s overhead kick.
Brandon Cooper’s header was scrambled off the line right at the end.
