A second defeat in three days has left Alfreton Town looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation places in the Blue Square Bet Premier.
The Reds were up against it at home to Lincoln City when Connor Franklin was sent off in only the seventh minute after a tackle with Lincoln's Dan Gray.
Lincoln took the lead in the 41st minute through Craig Hobson.
Alfreton were still well in the game in the second half but the points were safe for Lincoln when Vadaine Oliver headed the ball over goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 81st minute and ran it into an empty net.
The Reds are now two points clear of the drop zone with six matches to play.
