Lincoln City turned their county rivals Scunthorpe over with an impressive 3-1 victory at Glanford Park to make it nine successive games without defeat.
Imps boss Keith Alexander was pleased with his side's performance but critical of their discipline which saw them play for 56 minutes with ten men.
Mark Bailey was given a straight red card by referee Jeff Winter in the 34th minute for a foul on Peter Beagrie.
Alexander commented: "I'm delighted with the win, but disappointed with our discipline. The referee got most things right, but we deserved the success." Scunthorpe's Brian Laws said: "We showed no spark, fight or aggression, the players can't mix and we were outfought.
"Now we need some reaction from our next two league games which are away, but supporters need to see some real hard graft at home." The game began at a cracking pace with both keepers in action, City's Alan Marriott saving from Steve Torpey and Sam Russell palmed a Marcus Richardson header over the bar.
The Imps proved positive in the fifth minute, the towering figure of Ben Futcher got in a powerful header just under the bar from Bailey's corner, to grab his first goal of the campaign.
Scunthorpe were struggling to find any rhythm, although Steve MacLean tried a long range shot which flashed over the top; but then Russell pulled off a one-handed save from Francis Green's header and Gary Fletcher saw his attempt strike an upright.
City strengthened their position in the 30th minute when Bailey crossed from the right and Fletcher fired the ball home in style.
Scunthorpe displayed a more positive attitude at the start of the second half but were rocked back when City grabbed number three after 57 minutes. In a quick break Richardson pushed the ball through for Green to drive in to the net.
Scunthorpe reduced the arrears in the 71st minute when substitute Paul Hayes headed home, but in the closing stages City's Paul Mayo rattled an upright and Richard Butcher missed from close range but, nevertheless, they wrapped up a convincing derby victory.