Exeter City snatched all three points with a smash-and-grab style victory away to Lincoln City to end their losing run. With their first shot on target in the 94 minute, Kevin McDonald popped up with the goal to win it for the Grecians.
Josh Magennis came closest for City in the first half as he had a shot that narrowly went wide. The striker was needed at the other end to head off the line from a corner.
Freddie Draper rattled the post shortly after the break as Lincoln started to pile on the pressure and take control of the game. But they couldn't find a way through a resolute Grecians defence who held out for what looked to be a goalless draw.
Deep into stoppage-time though, that point became all three. McDonald let fly from the edge of the box and the experienced midfielder found the back of the net to steal the win in dramatic style
Lincoln had been unbeaten in eight, but dropped down to fourth in the table with defeat. For City, after four defeats in the league in a row, and five in all competitions, it was a vital three points to stop the rot as they rose to 17th, and now three points above the relegation zone.
Gary Caldwell made just the one change to the side who were beaten at home by Huddersfield Town last Saturday. Out went Jake Doyle-Hayes, who wasn't fit enough to be involved, and in came Johnly Yfeko for a first start in the league in nearly a year. McDonald was back on the bench, as was Luca Woodhouse after scoring for the U21s in midweek, while Jack Aitchison had recovered from injury to also be among the substitutes.
It was the Grecians who had the first chances. Reece Cole curled a ball into the box which Jayden Wareham was just unable to get on the end of. Then Josh Magennis, back in the Northern Ireland squad, let fly from 35 yards, but his strike went just the wrong side of the post.
The Imps' first real opening came from a corner. A cross from Tom Bayliss was headed back across by Rob Street into James Collins' path, but his header was cleared off the line by Magennis. Adam Jackson then saw a shot well blocked, while Jack Fitzwater had to make a vital interception just before the break as Lincoln were growing into the game, but weren't able to find the opener.
Neither manager made a chance at the break. But it was the hosts who were quickest out of the blocks in the second half and nearly went ahead almost straight away. Draper smashed a ferocious drive from the edge of the box, but it clattered back off the post and to safety.
Street and Collins then forced Joe Whitworth into action to keep the scores level, before Reeco Hackett tested him with a header but the Crystal Palace loanee was able to keep it out.
Akeel Higgins replaced Yfeko in City's first change, before Aitchison and McDonald replaced Wareham and Cole as Caldwell freshened up the legs on the pitch as they battled to secure at least a point as the game became fragmented and stop-start.
Ben House had a pair of chances for Michael Skubala's side, but his first went wide, and his second didn't have the power on it to beat Whitworth. Ed Turns came on for Danny Andrew late on.
Nine minutes of stoppage-time were added-on, and in the fourth of them, there was a winner - and it was a smash-and-grab for City. The ball broke to McDonald on the edge of the box, and he took aim, and found the back of the net. It was the first shot on target all afternoon City had, and what a time to have it, as the away fans were sent wild.
Lincoln threw everything they had to try and grab an equalizer. But it wasn't to be as Exeter claimed the win - and a much needed one.
Exeter City are back in action next Saturday when they host Reading at St James Park.
Exeter City: Joe Whitworth, Pierce Sweeney, Jack Fitzwater, Johnly Yfeko (Akeel Higgins, 60), Ilmari Niskanen, Jack McMillan, Ethan Brierley, Danny Andrew (Ed Turns, 89), Reece Cole (Kevin McDonald, 82), Jayden Wareham (Jack Aitchison,82), Josh Magennis