The Imps will have to wait one more game to confirm the League One title, but extended the unbeaten run to 26 matches with a late equaliser against Stevenage.
City made a single change to the side that beat Leyton Orient last week, with Ivan Vafolomeev coming in for Tom Bayliss. Varfolomeev was due to start against the O’s, but pulled up in the warm. Stevenage, whose 5-1 defeat against Bolton was the first in seven to feature more than a single goal, brought in former Imp Saxon Earley for the injured Dan Sweeney, while veteran Matt Phillips replaced namesake Dan, sent off against the Trotters.
The game got off to an explosive start. Stevenage struck inside the opening couple of minutes, and it came from a moment that will have frustrated the Imps. They won a free kick that looked soft, and although City initially dealt with the delivery, the danger was only half-cleared. The ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the area for Louis Thompson, who connected sweetly, sending a clean strike beyond George Wickens to put the hosts 1-0 up almost immediately.
It was not the start City would have wanted, but they responded well, even if clear chances were at a premium in a game that quickly settled into a pattern. Stevenage sat compact, organised and difficult to break down, while City looked to probe for openings in a crowded final third.
The equaliser arrived on 16 minutes, and it owed much to persistence. A long ball forward by Towler, aimed at Reeco Hackett, was only partially cleared by Earley, and Tendayi Darikwa reacted quickest to the loose ball. Stealing in from the right, he drove a firm effort home to level the scores, a goal that briefly shifted the momentum back in City’s favour.
On the sidelines, there was already tension. Assistant head coach Chris Cohen was vocal, repeatedly calling instructions before being told to return to the dugout, unhappy with the lack of space afforded to him on the touchline.
Despite the leveller, the game remained scrappy. There was a decent atmosphere, with both sets of supporters trading chants, but clear-cut opportunities were rare. Hackett came closest for City midway through the half, cutting inside and shaping to shoot before slipping Jack Moylan through. His effort took a deflection and looped over for a corner, though nothing came from the set piece.
Stevenage regained the lead on 27 minutes with a well-worked move down the right. Matt Phillips and Dan Kemp combined neatly to create space, and the resulting delivery caused problems in the box. It evaded City’s defenders and found Jamie Reid, who was left with a simple header from close range to make it 2-1.
City tried to respond, forcing a couple of corners that briefly unsettled the home defence, but the final touch was lacking. There was also growing frustration with the officiating, most notably when Ben House appeared to be clearly shoved over with no foul given. Home fans were equally as upset when Matt Phillips picked up a booking just before the break.
The hosts looked dangerous when they broke. Reid nearly added a second when a quick throw caught City cold, his effort from a tight angle crashing back off the bar. Was it a cross? Probably, but he wouldn’t admit it.
As the half wore on, the physical edge increased. Conor McGrandles was booked for halting a break, and there were further flashpoints, with Ivan Varfolomeev among those feeling aggrieved by decisions going against City as he was clearly blocked off. Stevenage were happy to disrupt the flow, even delaying free kicks where possible, and it added to a sense that they were getting under City’s skin.
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