Will Lankshear, the much‑heralded signing, delivered a decisive second‑half brace as Middlesbrough rallied to claim a gritty 2‑1 win, launching their Championship campaign and snapping the impressive nine‑month unbeaten streak of newly promoted Lincoln. The Imps, making their first appearance in the second tier in 65 years, burst out of the blocks and took the lead in the 12th minute. Captain Tendayi Darikwa surged down the right flank, sent a pinpoint cross into the box and Adam Reach, arriving from the left, unleashed a thunderous left‑footed strike from about 15 yards that beat Middlesbrough keeper Radek Vitek.
The early goal set the tone for a high‑intensity opening period for Lincoln, whose entire starting eleven had been part of the squad that clinched the League One title the previous season. Middlesbrough’s manager, Kim Hellberg, had fielded a side packed with summer arrivals – Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter, Kyle Joseph and Lankshear himself – alongside returning loanees Alpha Kante and Neto Borges. The Boro side pressed forward, with Leo Castledine and Kante testing the Imps from distance and Adilson Malanda seeing a header saved by young defender George Wickens. Dom Jefferies also created a couple of chances before the break, while Lankshear made a couple of early runs that hinted at the impact he would soon have.
The first half ended with Lincoln firmly in control, and Hellberg admitted afterward that his team had been outplayed: “In the first half they were better than us. It’s been a long time since the away side has been stronger in the opening period.
They deserved the lead even if they didn’t create many chances, but they pressed well and we struggled to impose our style.” He added that the lack of cohesion was partly his own fault, noting the difficulty of integrating a host of new faces. The second half saw a dramatic shift. Around the hour‑mark, Lankshear finally broke the deadlock. A cross from Callum Brittain on the right was headed out by Deji Elerewe, only to land at the feet of Castledine, whose angled drive was met by Lankshear, who instinctively redirected the ball into the net from six yards out.
The equaliser sparked a surge of energy among the Boro faithful, and the stadium’s atmosphere turned electric. Lincoln attempted to respond, but the Boro defense, anchored by Wickens and Vitek, held firm. Lankshear continued to menace the Imps’ back line, forcing a crucial block from Wickens before Morgan Whittaker curled a free‑kick just over the bar.
As the clock ticked into added time, Boro’s substitute striker, Riley McGree, delivered a pinpoint ball to the right wing where Lankshear, now fully in rhythm, slotted the ball home at the near post after a swift move down the flank. The goal clinched a 2‑1 victory and marked the end of Lincoln’s remarkable 29‑game unbeaten run across all competitions, a streak that had begun in early December.
Post‑match, Hellberg praised his players’ resilience: “The second half was all about the passion of the squad and the crowd. The place was electric, we chased the ball relentlessly and finally got the reward. I’m grateful to the players and the fans – they turned the game around together.” He also reflected on his tactical adjustments, acknowledging that clearer communication and a more defined structure were essential with so many new arrivals.
Lincoln’s joint head coaches, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, offered a measured assessment despite the disappointment. Cohen highlighted the team’s first‑half performance, saying, “The boys showed heart and passion. We executed our plan, kept the Imps under pressure and earned the lead.
In the second half we dropped deeper, lost our punch‑back, and against a quality side like Boro that can exploit those gaps, we paid the price.” He added that the club’s recent promotion and the step up to the Championship would present “tough tests all season,” but expressed pride in the squad’s effort and belief that the experience would serve them well moving forward. The match also featured notable contributions from other players.
Kyle Joseph’s close‑range effort was saved by Wickens, while Sebastian Berhalter and Alpha Kante each tested the Imps from distance. Lincoln’s defensive line, comprising seasoned campaigners from their title‑winning side, held firm for much of the game, but the cumulative pressure from Boro’s fresh attacking options eventually proved decisive. Overall, the encounter illustrated the fine margins that separate success from setback in the Championship. Middlesbrough’s ability to adapt mid‑game, coupled with Lankshear’s immediate impact, underscored the value of strategic summer signings.
Meanwhile, Lincoln’s early dominance demonstrated that their promotion was no fluke, even if the step up exposed areas needing improvement. Both clubs now look ahead to their next fixtures, with Boro buoyed by three points and Lincoln determined to bounce back after a hard‑learned lesson in the league’s opening weekend.