Goals from Jay Smith, Jason Lee and Lawrie Dudfield saw Notts claim the points, despite a late consolation from Spencer Weir-Daley, and an even later penalty miss for the visitors, who also saw Jamie Forrester sent off with the score at 1-0.
The Magpies first faced the Imps on the first day of the season, a 1-1 draw at Sincil Bank a fair reflection on a game that never really took off. Since then, Lincoln have raced clear of Notts, and prior to today sat in third place, Notts in eighth, but a massive fourteen points clear.
With Lincoln the league's highest goalscorers, and having accumulated the most points away from home, today saw them as clear favourites, particularly with Notts' drab home form costing them 26 points this campaign.
However, Notts defied the odds and got their Playoff march back on track, even though they remain five points off even that target.
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Forcing an early corner in front of 2,500 travelling fans in the much talked about Kop, Notts began impressively. Smith lingered on the edge of the box unmarked, and after Austin McCann's corner was cleared straight to him, he superbly controlled and volleyed at goal, and aided by a slight deflection, it flew past Andy Marriot in the Lincoln net.
Many fans hadn't even claimed their seats, and Notts were on their way, and even determined to grab a second almost immediately.
Dudfield sent in a fierce cross, and only a slight touch would have nicked it past Marriot, but both Lee and Andy Parkinson failed to provide that, as Marriot bravely gathered.
Notts were looking more like the side who were chasing not only automatic promotion but the Championship, as the Imps claim they are, passing the ball around with ease despite the obvious detriments of the rugby laden pitch.
Smith came close again on eight minutes from a similar position to where he put Notts ahead, this time he sliced his effort wide.
The Kop appeared silenced with Notts rampant, though they did get their tails up when midfielder Lee Frecklington exchanged passes with Forrester and raced into the box, shooting into the side netting from a tight angle.
Returning former Notts hero Mark Stallard then weaved a piece of magic to turn on the edge of the area and lob towards Kevin Pilkington in the Notts goal, but it swerved wide of the target.
Lincoln were finally showing something of their credentials, and Stallard came even closer soon after when cleverly put through on goal by strike partner Forrester. The experienced man rushed his shot somewhat, and it whisked wide of the post. Has he showed more composure, he may have slotted past Pilkington.
Lincoln continued to push, and their best chance of the half, coincidentally from their best move, saw Frecklington spin his way through four challenges and into the box where he squared a delightful pass to Jeff Hughes who aimed at goal and saw it rebound of the post to Stallard who failed to connect as Pilkington grabbed with some relief.
Lincoln were not to challenge again until the final minutes of the game, as Notts again stepped up the pace.
Parkinson was particularly dangerous, continuing his fine recent form as he enjoyed a good tussle with visiting right-back Lee Beevers.
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The game swung further in Notts' favour on 40 when Forrester foolishly left a foot in when challenging McCann in front of the Notts dugout. As McCann fell to the floor Premiership referee Uriah Rennie had no hesitation in brandishing the red card, and there didn't seem to be too many Lincoln complaints, other than from those on the Kop.
Losing a player was bad enough, but Forrester is their 16 goal leading scorer, and despite Stallard again hitting off target, Notts seized the opportunity.
Lee challenged Nat Brown in the air, winning the battle with Brown fairly floored and Pipe racing onto the knockdown. Lee headed for the penalty box where Pipe found him with a delightful cross that Lee powerfully headed at goal. Marriot stretched to touch it onto the bar, but Lee charged in to head home the rebound from a diving position.
Celebrating in front of the Imps gathering, where Lee is something of a villain after his display earlier in the season left many an Imps man bruised, and Brown did have blood on his shirt after this clash, Lee was clearly delighted with his fourteenth goal of the season.
At half-time Lincoln's Head Coach John Schofield responded by replacing left-back Paul Mayo with new striker Dany N'Guessan, who scored for Boston against Notts earlier in the season; clearly adopting a more attacking approach.
Not that it worked with Notts the most adventurous side as the second half began.
Parkinson saw Marriot save his goal bound effort, before Gary Silk, excellent all game at right-back, smashed an effort well wide.
Pipe also had a go at goal, but his shot whistled past the post before Dudfield claimed a penalty with Adie Moses seemingly all over him.
Lincoln were powerless to stop a superb Notts side, hell bent on finally giving their much maligned following something to yell about.
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As the hour ticked in, Smith once again pulled the strings in midfield, releasing Silk who burst into the box and squared right across goal to the predator Dudfield who easily prodded home, despite competition from Parkinson.
A similar move, this time involving Pipe excellently back-heeling to Silk, for him to penetrate the box and cross to Lee, but Marriot denied him this time.
Parkinson was released by Smith and cut inside to strike at goal. Beevers blocked well not once, but twice from the former Grimsby wide man.
Parkinson again had a shot deflected and a six-yard melee ensued with Dudfield also close to scoring, but somehow Marriot's net survived.
As Lee left the pitch to a standing ovation, replaced by Junior Mendes, Lincoln finally decided to attack.
Their best player Frecklington was surprisingly replaced by former Forest man Nicky Eaden, Brown going up front, with Weir-Daley, on loan from Forest, replacing Stallard, who left the pitch with Notts fans showing their appreciation for his years at Meadow Lane.
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They grabbed an 88th minute goal when Weir-Daley latched onto a Scott Kerr flick on from a Beevers throw, and smashed, unmarked, past Pilkington.
The tails of the visitors were up and they should have had a second as stoppage time began, when Rennie awarded a controversial penalty. Browns cross inadvertently hit Silks arm, he could not get out the way, but Lincoln had a lifeline.
Captain Kerr stepped forward but Pilkington expertly saved, though Weir-Daley was favourite for the rebound, however he had not reckoned with Pilkington who pulled off a wonder save to tip the rebound over the bar from just two yards out.
Had Lincoln scored a second it would have been rough justice on a Notts side who thoroughly deserved their derby success.