There were no changes for either side at half-time, with a crowd of 10,559 inside Sincil Bank to see whether City could build on their 1-0 advantage.
Instead, Swansea were level within two minutes of the restart. City looked as though they had opportunities to clear their lines, but Melker Widell was eventually able to send the ball back into the area and Moussa Yeo got the decisive touch to make it 1-1.
The turnaround was complete four minutes later. Stephen Eustaquio tried his luck from distance and his effort took a wicked deflection, leaving George Wickens wrong-footed as the ball flew beyond him. Having gone into the interval ahead, City suddenly found themselves 2-1 down after a dreadful start to the second half.
Andrei Coubiș was then involved in a collision with Lawrence Vigouroux inside the Swansea area, with Widell also becoming involved in the aftermath. The referee spoke to both sides but decided against showing any cards.
City then had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away. House tried to flick the ball over a defender inside the area and it appeared to strike an arm as Swansea cleared, but the referee was unmoved. The visitors responded with a triple substitution, Ronald, Zan Vipotnik and Joseph Opoku replacing Adam Idah, Yeo and Elijah Just.
The official was back at the centre of attention shortly afterwards. Josh Tymon fouled Conor McGrandles and the referee appeared to reach towards his pocket, only to stop himself after seemingly realising the Swansea defender had already been booked. No second yellow followed, much to City’s frustration.
Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw made a triple change after 63 minutes, introducing Mikkel Ladefoged, Chie Ogbene and Yunus Konak for Adam Reach, McGrandles and House. Ladefoged was involved almost immediately, being picked out by a lovely pass from Coubiș before seeing his effort blocked.
Hackett continued to carry a threat down the left, beating two players before being bundled over from behind to win City another free kick. The Imps were beginning to build pressure again, although clear chances remained difficult to come by.
A long throw created another opening after 70 minutes. Coubiș got on the end of it and worked the ball towards Ogbene, whose effort flashed across goal and over, allowing the winger to collect again on the opposite side. Two minutes later, a deep free kick dropped invitingly to Bayliss on the edge of the area, but despite striking it sweetly he sent his effort wide.
Swansea made another change with Goncalo Franco replacing Eustaquio, while Rob Street was introduced for Towler as City added another attacking option. Widell threatened at the other end soon afterwards, curling an effort wide of Wickens’ left-hand post.
From the subsequent clearance, Draper was penalised for a foul on Ben Cabango, although there appeared to be very little in the challenge. Moments later, the referee inadvertently halted a promising Lincoln attack when Street’s pass was blocked and the loose ball fell into his path. He correctly restarted with a drop ball, and from Hackett’s subsequent cross Ladefoged climbed highest, although his header caused no real danger.
Jenson Seelt replaced Stephen Welsh for Swansea with nine minutes remaining, before City went desperately close to an equaliser. Another long throw caused chaos inside the area and the ball looked as though it might drop for Street, but he could not quite stretch far enough to poke it home.
Swansea then offered a reminder of their threat.. Ronald unleashed a vicious drive towards goal, forcing Wickens into an excellent save despite the City goalkeeper having had relatively little to do for much of the contest.
Draper looked to have a golden chance to level with three minutes to go, after Ladefoged flicked on a long header, but the referee saw foul with just the keeper to beat. He scuffed it anyway, and the score remained 2-1 to the visitors.
With just seconds left on the clock, Draper was hacked down by Lissah on the edge of the area. Three minutes added time was called as the free kick was lined up, but Bayliss’s delivery was over everyone, causing fans to start streaming out.
The match ended with Chris and Tom both speaking to the official, which is hardly a surprise given his erratic and unpredictable performance.
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