Will Lankshear, the much‑talked‑about signing, delivered a decisive second‑half brace as Middlesbrough rallied to open their Championship campaign with a gritty 2-1 win, ending the newly promoted Lincoln City's remarkable nine‑month unbeaten streak. The Imps, playing their first match in the second tier in 65 years, started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute when captain Tendayi Darikwa released a low cross that found Adam Reach on the left. Reach, arriving late into the box, unleashed a powerful left‑footed strike from about 15 yards that beat Middlesbrough goalkeeper Radek Vitek, putting Lincoln ahead.
Lankshear, a former Tottenham prospect making his league debut for Boro after a high‑profile transfer to the Riverside Stadium, responded just after the hour. A well‑timed run saw him meet a Callum Brittain cross, and he slotted the ball home from six yards out to level the score.
The drama intensified in stoppage time when Lankshear, after a swift move down the right wing by substitute Riley McGree, found himself at the near post and calmly finished a perfect pass to seal the win for Middlesbrough. The result snapped Lincoln's impressive run of 29 games without defeat across all competitions, a streak that began in early December.
It also marked the Imps' first league appearance under the newly formed joint head‑coach partnership of Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, who took charge after Michael Skubala departed for Bristol City in May. Their side, composed entirely of players who had secured the League One title the previous season, looked comfortable and confident, but the step up to the Championship proved a stern test. Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg had trusted a number of summer arrivals – Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter, Kyle Joseph and Lankshear – to start the match. He also reintegrated Alpha Kante and Neto Borges after their loan spells at Saint‑Étienne and Bristol City, respectively.
The Boro side struggled early on; Lincoln’s high‑intensity pressing and quick wing‑back interplay forced them onto the back foot. Leo Castledine and Kante threatened from distance, while Adilson Malanda saw a header saved by George Wickens. Dom Jefferies created two chances for the visitors before the break, and Lankshear himself had a couple of early attempts that were either blocked or went wide. The second half saw Boro increase the tempo.
Lankshear continued to press, his movement unsettling the Imps’ defence. After a blocked shot from Lankshear, Morgan Whittaker curled a free‑kick just over the bar.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 62nd minute when a Brittain cross was headed out by Deji Elerewe, only to land at Castledine’s feet. Castledine’s angled drive was deflected by Lankshear, who instinctively steered it home to make it 1‑1. Lincoln tried to cling to their advantage, but a late surge from Middlesbrough proved decisive. Lankshear’s earlier effort struck the bar, and in added time the striker finished the job, tapping the ball home at the near post after McGree’s incisive run on the right.
The final whistle confirmed a 2‑1 triumph for Boro and a painful end to Lincoln’s unbeaten run. Post‑match, Hellberg reflected on the performance: "In the first half they were better than us. It’s been a long time since an away side has dominated the opening period. They deserved the lead even if they didn’t create many chances, and their press was excellent.
We struggled to implement our game plan and failed to create enough opportunities – that was tough. I’m not happy with my first‑half tactics; my structure wasn’t good enough and I could have guided the players better, especially with so many new faces. I feel some disappointment, but I have an unbelievable squad and coaching staff who turned the game around and secured the win. In the second half the crowd was electric, the players showed passion, we chased the ball relentlessly and kept it in play.
I’m grateful to the players and the fans – it was a collective effort." Cohen, speaking for Lincoln, praised his side’s effort despite the loss: "It was an amazing performance – the heart, the passion the boys displayed. The first half was exactly what we wanted, we kept them where we intended, constantly threatening their goal when we had possession. In the second half we dropped a little too deep, lost our punch‑back, and against a quality team like Boro you have to stay sharp.
That’s a lesson for us. We’re incredibly proud of the players. Boro should have been one of the top two teams last season and invested heavily, so we know the challenges ahead will be tough away from home. Yet the first‑half display gave us belief that we can compete at this level." The match also highlighted the impact of new signings on both sides.
Lankshear’s immediate contribution validated the club’s investment, while Lincoln’s reliance on a core group that achieved promotion underscored the importance of squad continuity. The game served as a reminder that the Championship is a demanding arena where tactical adaptability, depth, and mental resilience are essential for success.
Looking ahead, Middlesbrough will aim to build on this momentum, hoping the confidence generated by Lankshear’s brace can propel them up the table. Lincoln, meanwhile, will regroup and look to tighten their defensive shape, learning from the moments they slipped too far back in the second half.
Both teams have shown the quality and determination required to thrive in England’s second tier, setting the stage for an intriguing season ahead. For fans wanting to stay updated, the EFL offers free highlights and the option to watch games on mobile devices, ensuring supporters can follow every twist and turn of the Championship campaign.