Reach’s thunderous volley from outside the area in the second half added to Tom Hamer’s early opener and ensured the hosts fell to a third straight defeat.

The Imps started the brighter of the two teams and took a deserved lead after eight minutes as Hamer headed in from an Ivan Varfolomeev free-kick.

Reyes Cleary and Patrick Kelly both threatened for Barnsley in the first half, but they were unable to test Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens.

The home fans thought substitute Adam Phillips had levelled the game just after half-time, but his powerful strike rippled the side-netting.

Reached sealed the win for the visitors in the 72nd minute with an outstanding volley from 20 yards which cannoned in off the crossbar and past Murphy Cooper in the home goal.

The result leaves the hosts just three points clear of the relegation zone.