The Millers could have no complaints following a poor performance in which they were outfought by the Whites. Some of the problems from earlier in the season reappeared and there was plenty for the Carlton management duo to think about ahead of this week’s rearranged Notts Senior Cup quarter final against Dunkirk.

Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made two changes to the side which had beaten Dunston last time out. Khyle Sargent was suspended and Nat Watson injured. They were replaced by Lawrence Gorman and Kyle Tomlin. Tomlin was initially named as a substitute with Aaron Opoku in the team, but there was concern that Opoku may still be suspended despite a lack of official notification following the postponement of the Dunkirk game in midweek, so the decision was taken to withdraw him from the side.

Lincoln featured ex-Carlton player of the year Jack Steggles in goal.

The Whites got off to the perfect start when Tobias Liversidge put them ahead less than 30 seconds into the game with a lovely shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.

Liversidge then fired over the top from a good position before Carlton’s first chance saw Brad Wells lift an effort over the bar after a fine Tomlin run.

Niall Davie then fired just over the top after Jared Holmes and Tomlin had combined, before Richard Stainsby made a decent save from Jake Park.

Lincoln continued to look dangerous and they extended their lead on 21 minutes when Matthew Cotton converted at the second attempt after Dan Brown had blocked his first effort.

Tomlin pulled a goal back for Carlton four minutes later when he took advantage of a slip by Harry Millard on the left, advanced into the area and then beat Steggles with a fine shot from the narrowest of angles.

Steggles did well to save from Davie after he was set-up by Alex Howes, while at the back Carlton moved Gorman to centre half and Brown to right back to try to counter the threat of Liversidge on the left.

It didn’t work. The Millers attacked on 41 minutes but Lincoln picked up possession on their own goal line, attacked quickly and a diagonal ball right to left saw Liversidge in space and he rifled home into the bottom corner.

Stainsby then made a superb save to deny Park on the stroke of half time.

Carlton replaced the injured Martin Ball with Kyle Dixon at half time and Danny Elliott slotted in at right back with Brown going back to centre half. But Lincoln wrapped up the win just four minutes into the second period when a cross from Liversidge looped over Stainsby and dropped into the net to give the wide man his hattrick.

Tomlin saw Steggles save on the hour mark and ought to have scored in the closing stages after a fine run and cross from Niall Hylton but in truth it was far too comfortable for Lincoln and they saw out the game with little difficulty.

Carlton Town: R Stainsby, L Gorman, N Hylton, M Ball (K Dixon 46), D Brown, J Holmes, N Davie, D Elliott (D Thomas 82), K Tomlin, B Wells, A Howes (R Tait 73). Unused substitutes: M Emery, D Thomas

Goals: Tomlin 25; Tobias Liversidge 1, 41, 49, Matthew Cotton 21

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM – Niall Hylton

Att: 171