Play-off hopefuls Exeter and Lincoln played out a dour 0-0 Sky Bet League One draw at St James Park in a match that was lacking in quality.

Exeter were without three key players, away on international duty, but they were not allowed to call the game off as the third of those call-ups came after the EFL’s deadline of last Sunday.

Lincoln looked the more likely to score throughout and Jack Moylan came closest to scoring in a drab first half but Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth made a brilliant save when Moylan’s free-kick evaded everyone in the penalty box and looked destined for the far corner.

In the second half the visitors’ Ben House fired a good chance straight at Whitworth before sending a header onto the roof of the Exeter net.

Substitute Jovon Makama could have won it for Lincoln after a superb run by Moylan but skied his finish and Exeter coach David Perkins was sent off four minutes from time after an altercation with the Lincoln bench.

Exeter, who rarely threatened, then saw Ryan Woods follow his coach down the tunnel when he was shown a second yellow card in the final minute for a foul.