Boss Jan Molby made two substitutions in a bid to take the points on offer with Shilton replacing Larkin on 69 minutes, and Appleby coming off for Ducros three minutes later.
Unfortunately, there was not much quality in either side's attacking movements at this stage in a rather dull second half.
Both Harriers' Bennett and Lincoln's Cameron hit long-range shots straight at the respective goalkeepers in rare pieces of goalmouth activity.
Dane Henrikson was the final Harriers player to come off eight minutes from time, making way for Bird.
Then a minute later Lincoln brought on Camm from Sedgemore but Harriers grabbed the lead in the 85th minute through Bennett who had been pushed back into midfield due to the substitutions.
Bird headed up into the air near the centre circle and Bennett raced clear to score with a confident finish past Marriott.
Lincoln forward Battersby was booked two minutes later for a fouling his marker Hinton.
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