HAYES & YEADING blew another chance to climb out of the relegation zone after they were edged out by Lincoln City tonight.

A goalkeeping gaffe from Steve Arnold gifted Jefferson Louis the opener before Pele (pictured) drew United level with his first goal for the club and Tom Miller snatched the points for City.

With Phil Walsh suspended and Mark Bentley picking up a knock in the stalemate with Telford at the weekend, Nas Bashir added Dwane Lee to his midfield and handed a full debut to on-loan Watford youngster Piero Mingoia.

Former United forward Louis caused his old club problems in the early stages and it was his cross from the right that allowed Alan Power to nip in at the near post for the game's first chance, however the midfielder's tame shot trickled behind.

Hayes & Yeading were next to threaten through Danny Wishart, who continued to show enthusiasm in his new advanced role, but was unable to direct his header on target after Yassin Moutaouakil had swung in an inviting ball from the far touchline.

Neither side could keep up the pace set in the opening stages and both goalkeepers remained untroubled as the half drew to a close, with Imps stopper Joe Anyon's involvement limited to a quick jog over to the City bench to receive treatment on an arm injury.

United should have taken the lead moments after the restart when Aiden O'Brien's clever dummy freed up space for Luke Williams to burst into the penalty area, the attacking midfielder got his shot away but it was straight at Anyon.

Having been a virtual spectator in the first-half the Imps keeper was called into action again seconds later, making a double save to first deny Williams and then O'Brien who was following up after the initial save.

The hosts were flying, Wishart was next to test the hands of the under-fire City number one as he tried his luck from the edge of the area, but again Anyon was equal to the strike and the deadlock remained unbroken.

But just as United looked destined to find the opener a horrible mistake from Arnold saw him slice his clearance and allow Louis a free shot at goal, the forward didn't turn the invitation down and fired home from close range.

The hosts needed to find a quick response, and they did three minutes later, as Jamie Hand's inswinging corner was headed home powerfully by Pele for his first goal for the club at a vital time for Bashir's men.

After a crazy few minutes calm was needed in the United ranks, however the home side were only level for two minutes before Miller rose highest to nod in the second for City after being found by substitute Nicky Nicolau.

Dwane Lee unleashed a thunderous long-range effort as the game approached the final 10 minutes but Anyon, who was excellent throughout the second period for the Imps, was again on hand to push the ball away from danger.

On-loan Crawley town hitman Dan Evans made his debut late on and could have grabbed an equaliser at the death, however his downward header was saved by Anyon to secure the win for Lincoln. 

Hayes & Yeading: Arnold, Moutaouakil, Cadmore, Pele, Spence, Williams (Evans,78), Lee, Mingoia, Hand, Wishart (Warren, 78), O'Brien (Owusu, 63) .

Subs not used: Beasant, Argent.