Honours even at Sincil Bank...
Just twelve games remained for Stevenage in their dramatic hunt for League One play-offs as they travelled to the LNER Stadium looking for a huge result on the road.
By no means was it going to be an easy task as Lincoln City went into the game nine games unbeaten, looking to join Boro in the play-off race.
The Gaffer made just one change from the big 1-0 victory over Cambridge United in midweek as Alex MacDonald came in for Kane Hemmings who dropped to the bench. Jordan Roberts played slightly more advanced to fill in for Hemmings, up top with Jamie Reid.
The rain began to pour as the teams walked out to a lively LNER Stadium, with over 500 Stevenage supporters singing loud and proud in one the corners of the ground.
The first chance of the game went in Boro’s favour as Jamie Reid’s solo run resulted in a foul on the edge of the box, as Jake Forster-Caskey stood over a free-kick from a dangerous position.
Forster-Caskey took aim on goal, but his effort crashed into the wall and Lincoln cleared their lines.
Overall, the first thirty minutes saw little action in either eighteen-yard area as both sides battled it out to try and make their mark on the game.
After 38 minutes, Stevenage came close to taking the lead as Jamie Reid latched onto a defensive mishap before attempting to lob Lukas Jensen, but it hit the shoulder of the goalkeeper and Lincoln breathed a sigh of relief.
Down the other end, it was Lincoln who had a rare attempt on goal, but Joe Taylor fired high over the crossbar after being under some pressure from the Boro back line.
That was the final real chance of the half as the sides went into the break with the score line goalless.
Stevenage were forced to withstand a little bit of Lincoln City pressure early in the second half, as they were met with a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but Carl Piergianni headed away the danger.
Boro played some stunning football just before the hour mark as they searched for an opening goal. Finley Burns lofted ball over to Jordan Roberts was touched down well as he laid it off to Jake Forster-Caskey, whose low ball into the box deflected out for a corner.
From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Alex MacDonald, who saw his effort on goal deflect wide of the mark.
Ten minutes later, Stevenage had one of their best chances of the game as Dan Butler’s dangerous free kick to the back post met the head of Carl Piergianni who headed just wide of the post.
With roughly twenty minutes remaining, the gaffer made four changes as he looked to change the game. It was Kane Hemmings, Vadaine Oliver, Harvey White and Nick Freeman being introduced in place of Jamie Reid, Jordan Roberts, Jake Forster-Caskey and Alex MacDonald.
Lincoln were on the attack with six of the ninety to go as Ted Bishop was sent through on the left-hand side of the area, but Boro’s Louis Thompson pulled off the challenge of the afternoon to keep the score line goalless.
The end of the game was rather slow in pace as the Fourth Official held up five additional minutes. Louis Thompson had a first-time effort on goal from outside the area, but his shot flew over the crossbar.
The 532 Stevenage supporters could be heard loud and clear right up until the final whistle as they looked to help their side over the line.
Little action occurred in added time as Boro worked hard to prevent any Lincoln danger. Eventually, the referee blew his final whistle to send both sides home with a point after a tightly contested battle between two strong teams.
Stevenage were able to return to Hertfordshire inside the play-off places and three points clear of Oxford United who sit directly below.
Onto Fleetwood Town at The Lamex Stadium next Saturday.
Attendance: 8,129 including 532 away supporters.
