Lincoln City failed to break Scunthorpe United's stranglehold on the Lincolnshire Senior Cup as they secured the trophy for the third season running.

The Imps lost 4-2 on penalties against the Championship side having been within a minute of securing victory in normal time.

City had taken the lead in the first half through Andy Hutchinson, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Ben May struck a last-gasp equaliser.

Stefan Oakes and Kern Miller then missed from the spot leaving Kevan Hurst to seal victory in the shootout.

It was certainly harsh on the hosts, who turned in a fine performance, with their team consisting of three first-team squad members Danny Hone, Cian Hughton and Oakes.

The visitors named Josh Wright, Garry Thompson, Hurst, Sam Togwell and Andrew Wright in their line-up with the quintet all having played in League One last season.

Within two minutes the Championship side had carved out the first chance when Peter Winn turned smartly in the box to create a yard of space, but he curled the ball over the bar.

In the 11th minute, and with City struggling to make any impression up front, Josh Wright smacked the post with a tremendous free-kick.

The pressure was building and when Togwell fired low past the post there were a few anxious glances across Lincoln's backline.

But four minutes later, Lincoln turned the game on its head and, with their first attack, took the lead thanks to the quality of Oakes.

Having picked possession up in his own area, he strolled forward before launching a pin-point 60-yard pass straight into the path of Hutchinson.

However, goalkeeper Josh Lillis raced off his line to beat the striker to the ball only to blaze his clearance straight at the young forward.

The rebound then looped over Lillis' head for the quick-witted Hutchinson who simply nodded into an empty net.

The goal lifted Lincoln and they were almost celebrating again in the 29th minute when Hone's header was cleared off the line by Jake Picton.

Four minutes later, a wonderful through ball by Hughton released Nathan Adams, but his final shot lacked the accuracy to trouble Lillis.

Just before half-time, Paul Musselwhite was required to make a sprawling save to deny Adam Boyes.

Hughton had the first strike at goal in the second half, in the 49th minute blazing over having been teed up by Oakes, who was enjoying a fine game.

City had started the half well and in the 56th minute, Oakes forced a tremendous save from Lillis with a fierce free-kick from 20 yards.

In the 61st minute, Adams, who had been a livewire throughout, cracked a 25-yard strike just wide, before embarking on a terrific run that had the Iron defence backpeddling.

He then produced a terrific cross to the back post where Jake Gibson headed straight at Lillis.

Scunthorpe rarely troubled Lincoln's defence which was being marshalled superbly by Hone and Miller, who was outstanding.

The Iron threw on striker May but it was Lincoln who looked likely to score another goal when Hutchinson embarked on a great run that saw him skip past three challenges but the finish failed to match the approach.

However, just as City appeared set for victory, May turned in an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time, before Boyes fired over right at the death as the game went straight to penalties.

Togwell stepped up to take the first for the Iron and scored, before Lillis saved from Oakes. May then extend the Iron's lead before Hutchinson made it 2-1.

Sparrow then cracked the bar to give City a lifeline, but Miller saw Lillis pull off a terrific save from his effort.

Rory Coleman made it 3-1 to the Iron, before Luca Coleman-Carr reduced the arrears.

However, Hurst buried his to give the Iron a 4-2 shoot-out victory.