September 9, 2017 5.22 pm This story is over 91 months old

Impressive Imps defeat Stevenage in dramatic comeback

Stevenage 1-2 Lincoln City Match Report

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A ten-man Lincoln City came from behind to end Stevenage’s unbeaten start to the season with a thrilling 2-1 win at the Lamex Stadium.

Goals from Sean Raggett and Ollie Palmer completed a dramatic comeback for the Imps after Matt Godden gave the hosts the lead before Matt Green was sent off.

Stevenage’s Luke Wilkinson was then also sent off  for stamping on Alex Woodyard as Lincoln City held on to secure their first away league win of the season.

The hosts took the lead when Godden latched onto the end of a through ball which split Lincoln’s defence and he buried his shot past Paul Farman.

Stevenage went close minutes later when Harry Beautyman hit the post, the ball then fell to Godden whose shot was blocked on the line by Sean Raggett before Jonathan Smith’s effort was saved by Farman.

Lincoln offered very little in the first-half, however Michael Bostwick came closest when his shot was blocked a few yards off the line.

The second-half was very much a different story. Green was shown a second yellow card for dissent in the 52nd minute, leaving the Imps a man and a goal down.

Lincoln City pushed on from Green’s sending off and were rewarded six minutes later when Raggett nodded home Billy Knott’s free-kick.

Lincoln were then awarded a penalty 12 minutes later when Wilkinson adjudged to handled the ball from Knott’s free-kick and Palmer’s spot kick sent Stevenage goalkeeper Joe Fryer the opposite way.

With eight minutes to go the game became ten-a-side when Wilkinson appeared to stamp on Woodyard and referee Anthony Backhouse showed the defender a straight red.

Lincoln City were able to hold on brilliantly for the remainder of the second half which sees them jump up four places in the league to 11th as they prepare to travel to Forest Green on Tuesday (September 12) night.

Lincoln: Farman; Long (Habergham 46), Waterfall, Raggett, Eardley; Anderson (Ginnelly 68), Woodyard, Bostwick, Knott; Rhead (Palmer 54); Green

Subs not used: Vickers (GK), Dickie, Whitehouse, Arnold

Stevenage: Fryer; Henry, Wilkinson, Franks, Martin; Whelpdale, Smith, Pett, Beautyman; Newton, Godden

Subs not used: Day (GK), Vancooten, Conlon, Samuel

Attendance: 3,427 (1,171 Imps)

The Lincolnite Man of the Match: Sean Raggett