Rotherham United began their stay at Don Valley Stadium with a victory thanks to a goal by debutant Reuben Reid.
The new Millers star pounced on a long ball to fire his first ever goal for the club to cap a good overall team display, and reduced Rotherham's point's deficit to -14.
Rotherham started the brighter of the two sides and had the games first chance after two minutes, when Ryan Taylor fizzed in a low drive that was dealt with low down by Imps 'keeper Rob Burch. Just minutes later new Millers captain Pablo Mills flashed a long-range effort from 30 yards just wide of the post. Lincoln put together their first attack of the half when on 11 minutes Lenell John-Lewis beat Andy Warrington to a cross but his header fell just wide of the target. Rotherham's long range peppering of the Imps goal continued when Mark Hudson was the next to try his luck with an effort that was just wide of the far post.
Lincoln appeared to have handled the Millers early pressure and almost got through for the opening goal on 18 minutes, but Marc Joseph made a terrific last-ditch challenge to force the ball away for a corner. The Imps threatened again on 29 minutes when Stefan Oakes blazed a shot over from 20 yards.
Reuben Reid, making his Rotherham debut, looked a real threat and on 39 minutes he put an effort wide, but that proved to be a warning of what was to come. Just before the break Reid muscled his way past the last line of the Imps defence to chase a long ball which he coolly slotted in to the net past Burch.
Lincoln almost equalised instantly but Gary King's scuffed effort was saved by the fingertips of Warrington, with the re-bound being scrambled away by the Rotherham defence.
Half time
Rotherham United 1 v 0 Lincoln City
Rotherham carried on where they left off in the first half with Danny Harrison going close with a shot from range that was parried by Burch. Lincoln boss Peter Jackson responded by making two substitutions with Danny N'Guessan and Lee Frecklington entering the fray, then moments later Mark Robins also made a change, giving Micky Cummins his debut in place of Alex Rhodes.
Reid continued his impressive debut into the second half and on the hour he went on a mazy run to the edge of the area but his shot was well held by a diving Burch. Lincoln started to get a foothold in the game after the hour but created very little in terms of chances. But in the 69th minute they went close when an Oakes free kick was tipped over by Warrington, then the Millers 'keeper denied N'Guessan when it appeared the sub was through on goal.
With a quarter of the game remaining Lincoln made their final change with David Graham replacing Ben Wright but it did little to change the Imps fortunes. With time ticking away Paul Green produced a superb cross that eluded everyone and thankfully for the Millers trickled away to safety.
Rotherham had a late scare when a teasing cross was just nicked away by Jamie Green but they held out in injury time to register their first win of the campaign.
Full Time
Rotherham United 1 v 0 Lincoln City
Rotherham: Warrington; Lynch, Sharps, Joseph, Green, Hudson, Harrison, Mills, Rhodes (Cummins 57), Reid (Holmes 90), Taylor.
Subs not used: Cann, Fenton, Tonge.
Lincoln: Burch; Green, Kovacs, Beevers, Brown, King (Frecklington 52), Oakes, Kerr, John-Lewis (N'Guessan 52), Gall, Wright (Graham 75).
Subs not used: Duffy, Hone.
Referee: Mr. A. Haines
