Forest Green Rovers exited the Emirates FA Cup after a 6-2 defeat to League One side Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium.

Mark Cooper made changes his starting eleven for the clash in Lincolnshire – with addition of Lewis Thomas, Dan Sweeney, Matty Stevens, Jake Young and Elliott Whitehouse to the line-up.

A shining light from Tuesday’s victory over Leyton Orient, it was Birmingham City loanee Odin Bailey who carved the first opportunity for FGR. The 20-year-old retained possession in a crowded penalty area to get his shot away – but he couldn’t find the target from 12-yards out.

The Imps started to grow into the game and duly took the lead 17 minutes into the encounter. With plenty of space to shape up his effort, Jorge Grant found the back of the net from 25-yards out – and fired beyond Thomas in the Rovers net.

Moments later and the home side doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. Liam Kitching was adjudged to have fouled Anthony Scully as he made a darting run into the area – and a calm finish from Grant put Michael Appleton’s men in the driving seat early on.

Rovers started the brighter of the two sides in the second half – but the Imps revealed their clinical edge by netting their third goal of the game just after the hour mark. Brennan Johnson did well to keep in the ball in the box – and tucked his effort coolly past Thomas.

Appleton’s charges looked to secure their place in the next round courtesy of a close-range strike from Scully. After several deflections in the penalty area, the 21-year-old remained composed and fired into the back of the net.

FGR looked resilient as the final minutes ticked on towards the final whistle – and reduced the deficit with eight minutes left on the clock. Former Imps midfielder Whitehouse turned home the loose ball inside the box under some pressure.

But, Rovers efforts to get back into the game proved to be fruitless, as another strike from former West Ham man Scully and James Jones saw the Imps secure their place in the second round of cup.

Jake Young found the back of the net in the final stages of the game, but his effort beyond Imps keeper Alex Palmer proved to be just a consolation.

Lincoln City XI: Palmer, Melbourne, Jackson, Edun (McGrandles 72), Grant (Jones 72), Scully, Archibald, Johnson, Gotts, Anderson, Roughan.

Unused subs: Ross, Hopper, Eyoma, Elbouzedi, Cann.

Forest Green XI: Thomas, Wilson, Sweeney (Moore-Taylor 62), Kitching, Winchester (c), Stevens (March 72), Cadden (Collins 64), Bailey, Young, Whitehouse, Godwin-Malife.

Unused subs: McGee, Stokes, Adams, Matt.

Referee: Sam Barrott