Jamie Reid scored again, this time with a poacher finish to give Stevenage the 1-0 win over Lincoln that moved them into fourth place in League One.
Reid’s 14th season goal gave the Boro the edge they needed. It was a disappointing start for the new Imps coach Michael Skubala.
Taye Ashley-Hammond saved a Jack Vale shot from Lincoln before Stevenage’s Alex MacDonald managed to send a rising attempt just outside of the penalty area.
TJ Eyoma’s last ditch defending prevented Kane Hemmings, who had headed Finley Burns across five minutes into second half.
Hemmings’ effort, which hit the inner post of the near goalpost after just a little over an hour play, came close to breaking the deadlock.
Reid scored from close quarters in the 68th minutes after a scramble that followed Jake Forster Caskey’s corner.