Lincoln claim first second-tier win in 65 years

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday; Ben House scores the only goal as Imps claim their first second-tier win in 65 years.

Lincoln earned their first second-tier win for 65 years as Ben House's 66th-minute goal gave last season's SkyBet League One champions a 1-0 win at previously-unbeaten Bolton.

The Imps had lost their opening two Championship fixtures against Middlesbrough and Portsmouth.

But after Wanderers had failed to unlocked City's defensive door, House stole in to earn the visitors their first three points at this level since April 1961.

Keeper George Wickens was Lincoln's other hero as he repelled a succession of efforts as Bolton looked to build on an opening-day win over Preston and battling draw at QPR.

Wanderers and their visitors played out two draws last season en route to their respective promotions.

This latest meeting was similarly even in the early exchanges. Bolton dominated possession with the best chances falling to striker Sam Dalby.

He was inches away from connecting with Lewis Brunt's teasing cross from the Lincoln left.

And the former Wrexham man was even closer after 22 minutes, sliding onto full debutant Samuel Iling-Junior's cross and striking the outside of Wickens' upright.

Matchwinner House miskicked when Colin McGrandles and Callum Elder fashioned a decent shooting opportunity and then collected a booking for diving under goalie Jack Bonham's challenge.

Bolton continued to dominate and Wickens denied Brunt his first Trotters' goal with a fingertip save from the defender's header.

John McAtee was also foiled by the Imps' keeper, Dalby headed over and former Lincoln midfielder Ethan Erhahon side footed narrowly wide as Jack Bonham remained untested at the other end.

Elder scuffed a rare effort wide as Lincoln started the second half with greater purpose.

They went even closer after 50 minutes as Ivan Varfolomeev forced Bonham into his opening save as Josh Sheehan was dispossessed and referee Ben Speedie ignored appeals for a foul.