Aston Villa suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of League Two promotion hopefuls Lincoln in a pre-season friendly at Sincil Bank on Tuesday night.

Martin O'Neill's side took an early lead when new signing Steve Sidwell set up a chance for John Carew, but were forced onto the back foot in the second half as the Imps responded through Jan Kovacs, Lenell John-Lewis and Ben Wright.

Two quickfire goals saw Fulham claim a 2-0 win over Southend at Roots Hall.

The Craven Cottage side took control in the second half after the sides went in goalless at half-time.

Erik Nevland fired home to give Fulham the lead and Danny Murphy's deft finish doubled the Premier League side's advantage.

Two first-half goals saw relegated Reading claim a 2-0 friendly win over Blue Square Premier side Forest Green at the New Lawn.

Jimmy Kebe scored his first goal for the Royals since his move from Chateauroux in January this year when he put Reading after 12 minutes.

Bobby Convey's cross from the left found Kebe at the back post and the Mali international volleyed home from eight yards.

Reading doubled their lead nine minutes later when Jem Karacan volleyed home after Kebe's shot was blocked.

The visitors also had two penalty appeals turned down.

Blackpool went down to a 4-0 defeat against FC Skonto in the second match of their tour of Latvia.

The Seasiders went into the game with Skonto, who are second in their domestic league, with seven players absent injured.

New signing Steve Kabba went through on goal before a last-ditch sliding tackle prevented the former Sheffield United striker from giving the Seasiders the lead.

Skonto then scored twice in two minutes through Gatsis Kalnins and a penalty from former Southampton striker Marian Pahars before Kalnins got his second just before half-time.

Kristaps Blanks completed the scoring in the second half.

A late strike from Richard Chaplow saw Preston claim a 1-0 win at Bamber Bridge.

In a frenzied opening period, Darren Carter saw his shot palmed away by host keeper Andy Banks before the hosts hit the post through Neil Zarac although he was deemed to be offside.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Chaplow was sent through on goal by Karl Hawley and he coolly chipped the ball into the hosts' net.

Hawley then struck the bar but North End could not add to their goal.

Sheffield Wednesday were 2-0 winners against HFC Haarlem in Heiloo, Holland.

Deon Burton scored the opener just after half-time when he found himself unmarked and converted a cross from strike partner Tudgay.

The Owls doubled their lead when debutante James O'Connor had his shot parried and the ball came to Tudgay who turned his marker to slot the ball home.

New signing Kevin Phillips got off to a perfect start with his new club as he scored twice in Birmingham's 7-0 defeat of Austrian side Kirchberg.

Gary McSheffrey opened the scoring with a penalty before adding a second, with Liam Ridgewell making it 3-0 at half-time.

Garry O'Connor curled a finish into the net to make it four with Phillips twice going close before he walked the ball in from an O'Connor lay-off.

Murphy scored the sixth with a thumping header before Phillips got his second when he chested the ball down and finished clinically.

More news from SportingLife.com