Dean Moxey struck in the 90th-minute to give Exeter victory over Lincoln, who had Dany N'Guessan sent off late on.
Adam Stansfield failed to beat keeper Rob Burch when clean through in the only chance of the first half.
Lincoln took the lead when Lenell John-Lewis hammered home the rebound from David Graham's shot but Craig McAllister headed in an equaliser.
N'Guessan saw red for a professional foul on Moxey, who then scored the winner from Craig McAllister's flick.
Exeter: Jones, Tully, Seaborne, Edwards, Moxey, Saunders (Murray 72), Gill, Panther, Harley, Stansfield (McAllister 72), Watson (Basham 60).
Subs Not Used: Marriott, Sercombe.
Booked: Watson.
Goals: McAllister 75, Moxey 90.
Lincoln City: Burch, Green, Sinclair, Hone, Beevers, Oakes, Frecklington, Kerr, N'Guessan, Graham (Patulea 77), John-Lewis (Brown 80).
Subs Not Used: Duffy, Wright, Clarke.
Sent Off: N'Guessan (88).
Booked: Hone.
Goals: John-Lewis 51.
Att: 3,916
Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).
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