NORWICH City XI fell to a narrow pre-season defeat at Lincoln City on Wednesday night, with Jack Muldoon's solitary goal giving the hosts victory.

The Canaries named a youthful side, while Lincoln included a number of players with significant Football League experience in a game which celebrated the memory of former Imps chairman John Reames.

A frenetic start saw City goalkeeper Ben Killip produce a fine double-save in the opening five minutes, before Jamar Loza was denied by a goal-line clearance just moments later.

Loza was involved again on 17 minutes as his pass released Jacob Murphy, with the winger's shot being blocked by the trailing leg of goalkeeper Paul Farman.

The visitors held firm in the face of some exerted Lincoln pressure around the half-hour mark, only to then have a goal of their own ruled out shortly before the interval.

A pin-point cross from Josh Murphy picked out Loza in the penalty-area, but the Jamaican international was flagged offside after finding the net.

Early in the second half, another excellent Killip stop kept the game at 0-0 ahead of Muldoon breaking the deadlock on 57 minutes.

Collecting a pass down the line from Lee Beevers, the forward moved inside before slotting past Killip to put his team in front.

City looked to respond, and with just over an hour played a free-kick from Loza was expertly kept out by Farman.

That theme continued in the closing stages, with Farman once again standing firm to prevent substitute Jamie Eaton-Collins from levelling in a one-on-one situation.

FULL-TIME: Lincoln City 1-0 Norwich City XI

GOALS: Imps: Muldoon (58)

NORWICH CITY XI: Killip; Hall-Johnson (Norman, 60), Efete, Thompson (Grant, 60), Crowe, Coker, Josh Murphy, McGrandles, Loza (Eaton-Collins, 75), King (Nzoia, 60), Jacob Murphy. Subs not used: Oxborough (GK).

REPORT: LINCOLN CITY 1-0 NORWICH CITY XI

More Club

#NCFC

Principal Partners

Primary Partners