Marquee signing Will Lankshear notched a second-half double as Middlesbrough fought back to kick off their Championship bid with a hard-fought 2-1 victory and end newly promoted Lincoln's stunning nine-month unbeaten run. The Imps - playing their first second-tier match in 65 years - made a strong start and opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Adam Reach. But former Tottenham forward Lankshear marked his first league appearance since his much-hyped move to the Riverside by equalising just after the hour and then stabbing in a stoppage-time winner.
It was a devastating end for spirited Lincoln as a run of 29 games undefeated in all competitions since early December was brought to a halt in their first league match since their new joint head coach partnership of Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw stepped up to take the reins following the departure of boss Michael Skubala to Bristol City in May. Boro boss Kim Hellberg included summer signings Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter, Lankshear and Kyle Joseph in his starting XI while Alpha Kante and Neto Borges were also pitched in after returning from loan stints last season at St Etienne and Bristol City respectively. The Lincoln side selected for their first Championship match since 1961 bore a far more familiar look, with all 11 starters having been part of the squad that cruised to the League One title last term.
The Imps' high-intensity start paid off when they took the lead with a goal involving both of their wing-backs. Captain Tendayi Darikwa was released down the right and his firm delivery across the box was met by Reach, who arrived from the left to rasp a ferocious left-footed shot beyond Vitek from 15 yards out. Boro tried to summon a response and Leo Castledine and Kante both threatened from distance, while Adilson Malanda then saw a header held by George Wickens.
The visitors remained a threat, however, and Dom Jefferies had two opportunities midway through the half. Boro cranked up the pressure towards the interval, with Lankshear threatening on a couple of occasions before Joseph's close-range shot was brilliantly pushed behind by Wickens. The hosts continued to knock on the door after the break and Lankshear had a shot blocked by Wickens before Morgan Whittaker curled a free-kick just over.
Boro levelled in the 62nd minute when Callum Brittain's cross from the right was headed out by Deji Elerewe but only as far as Castledine whose angled drive across goal was diverted home instinctively from six yards out by Lankshear. It looked like the hosts were going to be left frustrated when Lankshear hit the bar in the closing stages. But Boro's new striker provided the game's decisive moment as it entered added time when he turned the ball home at the near post after brilliant work on the right by sub Riley McGree to set him up.
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