Lincoln have been officially crowned Sky Bet League One champions after a convincing 2-0 triumph over Doncaster at the Eco-Power Stadium. The win not only sealed the title but also capped a season that will be remembered as one of the most remarkable campaigns in the club's recent history.
The Imps had already secured promotion to the Championship on 6 April when they edged past Reading 2-1, but the league crown still hung in the balance. With four points collected from the two matches that followed their promotion-clinching win, Lincoln only needed to avoid defeat in their final game to guarantee the championship. A victory on Tuesday night delivered exactly what they required, confirming that they would finish the season as champions.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, Lincoln will compete in the second tier of English football for the first time in 65 years. This historic promotion marks a dramatic rise for a club that has spent the majority of the past six decades outside the upper echelons of the league system.
The season itself was nothing short of spectacular for the third‑tier champions. A prolific strike partnership between Ben House and his fellow forwards produced goals both before and after the half‑time break, helping the team achieve an astonishing 27‑game unbeaten run. Their consistency and attacking flair were key factors in maintaining momentum throughout the campaign. The match against Doncaster began brightly for the home side.
In the 20th minute, Harry Clifton fouled Jack Moylan inside the box, presenting Lincoln with a penalty opportunity. Rob Street stepped up, but his spot‑kick was expertly saved by Doncaster keeper Thimothee Lo‑Tutala.
The Rovers' goalkeeper then demonstrated his agility by parrying a header from Sonny Bradley with a one‑handed save, keeping the scores level. Lincoln finally broke the deadlock just before the interval.
A mis‑clearance by Matty Pearson sent the ball rolling to Moylan, who quickly found Ben House. House unleashed a low, powerful shot that slipped past Lo‑Tutala, giving the Imps the lead for the 29th consecutive match. The goal underscored the team's relentless attacking rhythm and their ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes. The second half saw Doncaster dominate possession, but Lincoln's defence held firm.
Street had a chance of his own when his effort was blocked by Lo‑Tutala, while Ivan Varfolomeev's thunderous free‑kick was cleared off the line by Owen Bailey. Moylan also threatened again, dribbling past several defenders before his shot drifted inches wide of the post.
Lincoln's second goal arrived in the 72nd minute. A well‑timed cross from Hamer found Street, who flicked the ball back to House. The striker rose high and headed the ball powerfully into the net, doubling the Imps' advantage.
The celebration was momentous, with fans recognizing that the title was now firmly within reach. Later, Street saw his effort hit the post, a reminder of how close the match had been to an even larger margin.
Nonetheless, the Imps' supporters erupted in jubilation as they witnessed their side achieve a historic milestone. Manager Michael Skubala reflected on the achievement in a post‑match interview: "The goal was to get promoted, but the way we've done it has definitely gone above and beyond everyone's expectations… and made some dreams come true.
Once you get the steamroller moving, these boys are just a machine, they just keep going and going." Skubala continued, "There's going to be a party on Saturday [against Wycombe at home] as all the fans will love that, so we're going to just enjoy it. We've achieved the big two targets and winning the title was excellent. The lads have absolutely stormed it." He praised the club's culture, noting, "It's definitely a family feel and it's important we started that in the summer with all the staff connected. Everyone has worked so hard.
The players give everything and we are relentless and resilient. The work ethic in the team is amazing." The manager also highlighted the team's dominance in the final, "It's hard to come away and dominate, but we totally dominated them. Second half we were just unbelievable and we could have scored more goals. It's not just we've done it, it's how we've done it.
What a performance in winning the title, in just being us. I thought the performance epitomised our season.
From start to finish, we were excellent, we have been all season." Beyond the on‑field success, the club also promoted a community initiative tied to the match. A £250,000 prize pool was advertised for the Super 6 competition, which remained free to enter, with entries due by 3 pm on Saturday.
This added an extra layer of excitement for fans and highlighted the club's commitment to engaging its supporters beyond football. In summary, Lincoln's 2‑0 victory over Doncaster not only secured the League One title but also capped a season of extraordinary consistency, attacking flair, and collective spirit.
The Imps now look forward to their return to the Championship, eager to test themselves against higher‑level opposition and to continue the momentum built over a historic campaign. The celebrations in Lincoln will undoubtedly continue for weeks, as fans revel in the knowledge that their club has achieved a feat not seen in six and a half decades.