Lincoln City lost their grip on the John Reames Memorial Trophy yesterday after they were comfortably beaten 4-1 by non-league Sleaford Town.

With the first team off duty because of tonight's friendly with Arsenal, the scholars stepped in to try to retain the cup they won last year.

But they came up short against Brian Rowland's side at Sincil Bank, where more than 1,000 supporters enjoyed a keenly-contested encounter.

Sleaford took the lead through Kris Jones, before Andy Hutchinson replied with a well-taken effort.

Nathan Adams blazed a penalty over the bar, before Tom Siddons' header put Sleaford back in front.

In a game littered with changes, Ryan Oliver added a third before he grabbed his second with a glorious lob right at the death.

The Imps had been hoping to emulate last season's 5-0 victory against Lincoln United 5-0 this time last summer when departed striker Adrian Patulea grabbed a hat-trick.

City's head of youth, Tom Spall, would have loved his youngsters to retain the crown in similar style against Sleaford, who were managed by their talisman Brian Rowland.

For the fans packed into the Echo Stand it would be the first time they would have had a serious look at the stars of tomorrow, a group Spall deemed as the best in recent years.

A quartet of the players had tasted first-team football with Kern Miller, Luca Coleman-Carr, Andy Hutchinson and Nathan Adams all figuring last season.

But their inclusion could not prevent the Imps from slipping behind with Sleaford opening the scoring with their first real attack of the game.

When Jamie McCormack's 12th-minute corner was floated into the box, Kris Jones met it with a powerful header.

City goalkeeper Kerry Nicholas tried desperately to keep it out, but the ball squirmed over the line with Miles Hunter making doubly sure.

However, the lead was short-lived as City equalised just four minutes later, when Hutchinson burst through, holding off Paul Reece to produce a cool finish that beat Richard Stailsby.

And then seconds after the restart, City should have doubled their lead when Adams was hauled down by Dom Revel inside the area.

Referee Ian Dudley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but Adams blazed high and wide.

Lincoln were beginning to find their momentum with the flame-haired winger Ryan Limb's pace almost matching the colour of his hair.

A superb run in the 28th minute saw him outstrip Revel, with his cross skimming off the diving Hutchinson and wide of the far post.

But as Lincoln were looking for the crucial second goal, it was Sleaford who gained the advantage 10 minutes before the break.

Again a McCormack corner was the weapon of choice with his centre being dispatched by Tom Siddons with a fantastic header from 14 yards.

That goal signalled the start of a huge downpour at Sincil Bank with the barrage of rain making visibility extremely poor for the players.

It was no surprise that neither side could fashion any chances as the whistle blew for half-time.

City opted to make several changes at the break replacing Adams, Hutchinson, Miller and Coleman-Carr.

Sleaford replaced their entire team, but identifying their players was a difficult task as their numbers did not match those on the team-sheet.

But the mystery men were soon on the front foot with a free-kick from just outside the box forcing a save from Nicholas, who was certainly the busiest of the two keepers.

City's response was a good run from Jack Thomas from left-back whose cross fizzed past the six-yard box.

In the 70th minute, another great cross from the defender was begging to be tucked away, but neither James Wilson or Rob Brewer could produce a decisive touch.

However, with 10 minutes to go Sleaford put the game beyond the hosts when Oliver scored with a well-taken effort.

Lincoln started to seek a way back into the game with Sam Downey flashing a long-range effort wide, but Sleaford looked well in control.

And in the dying stages they completed a fine display when Oliver grabbed his second with a wonderful lob.

There was still time for him to miss the opportunity of a hat-trick though courtesy of an excellent save from Nicholas.

LINCOLN CITY: Nicholas, Heap, Thomas, Barker, Miller, Fitzpatrick, Lim, Coleman-Carr, Hutcinson, Adams, Gibson. Subs: Davies, Hutchinson, Brewer, Wilson, Brookbanks, Downey, Foreman, Clucas.

SLEAFORD TOWN:Stailsby, Firman, Wilson, Ward, Fenton, Tunstal, Braithwaite, Mallinson, Shaw, Goode, Oliver, Brown, Brothwell, Ajimoko.