Managerless Lincoln comprehensively defeated bottom-of-the-table Darlington 3-0 to end a run of three defeats.
Howe brace and Fagan goal seals Imps victory over Darlington
Managerless Lincoln comprehensively defeated bottom-of-the-table Darlington 3-0 to end a run of three defeats.
City, who sacked Peter Jackson in midweek, were on top from the start and went in front after only two minutes when Rene Howe volleyed in from six yards.
Darlington keeper David Knight had no chance in the 29th minute when Howe was left unmarked in front of goal and fired home his second.
The visitors tried to hit back and David Dowson found the net early in the second half only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Lincoln kept pushing forward and added a third goal in the 55th minute aided by some dreadful Darlington defending.
Lennell John-Lewis was given too much space in the box and set up Chris Fagan for a simple goal.
Howe also wasted two late chances to complete his hat-trick, while Darlington, who have yet to win this season, had their best chance on the hour when defender Matthew Plummer saw his snap-shot saved by Lincoln keeper Rob Burch.