Birmingham went into the game looking for a positive response to last weekend’s loss at Cardiff, which ended a run of four wins in five unbeaten matches, and they restored Priske up front, with Ethan Laird making his first league start of the season at right-back.
But Lincoln almost scored in their first meaningful attack as the ball was flicked back to Ladefoged and the Dane’s powerful low strike thumped against keeper Beadle’s right-hand upright.
With Lincoln co-head coach Chris Cohen opting to scrutinise the ‘big picture’ from a TV camera gantry, Jay Stansfield volleyed inches wide for Blues – but they went in front moments later when a ball forward was diverted into the path of Priske by Yunus Konak and he despatched it into the corner.
It was proving a tough afternoon for Beadle, who was twice left lying on his back clutching his head following heavy landings after coming out to claim balls into the box. Ben House also needed medical attention after a boot in the face from Laird, which earned the defender a yellow card.
Beadle made two saves in added time at the end of the first half to preserve the lead – the first from an under-hit Dom Jefferies sidefoot, and then a point-blank range stop with his thigh from Elerewe, who may feel he should have done better.
The Birmingham keeper did not return for the second half, but they doubled the lead when Christoph Klarer flicked on a long throw and Priske got to the ball fractionally before George Wickens to turn it home.
Lincoln hit back when Ladefoged backheeled the ball to sub Tom Bayliss – who, like keeper Wickens, was making his 100th appearance for the club – and he picked his spot beyond Allsop.
It was to prove only a consolation, however, as Cochrane’s deflected shot made it three for Blues, who should have added another when Demarai Gray was sent clear by Tomoki Iwata’s pass, only to shoot wide.