A brighter second half display brought pressure, chances, and late drama for the Imps.
There were no changes at the interval, and City came out with intent. Ivan Varfolomeev set the tone almost immediately, driving into the box and appealing for a penalty. There was little in it, but it lifted both him and the away end, the midfielder gesturing for more noise after winning a corner.
His energy was clear, perhaps too much so. Within minutes, he flew into a late challenge and was shown a yellow card, a moment that slightly halted City’s early momentum.
Even so, the pressure continued to build. Jack Moylan was at the heart of it, drifting into pockets and looking to create, and his cross on 52 minutes almost found Ben House, the ball just evading the forward at the far post.
Stevenage were starting to feel it. Their goalkeeper Filip Marschall went down under pressure shortly after, allowing the hosts a breather, and they used the pause to make a change, with Jordan Houghton replacing Louis Thompson.
City responded with a triple substitution just past the hour, Rob Street, Tom Bayliss and Alfie Lloyd introduced in place of House, Varfolomeev and Reeco Hackett. The changes injected fresh legs, and Bayliss in particular made an immediate impact.
Moments after coming on, he won a free kick on the edge of the area and stepped up to take it himself, forcing a strong save from Marschall, who was proving to be one of the difference-makers on the day. He followed that up by confidently claiming a dangerous delivery, underlining his growing influence.
Despite City’s control, the hosts remained a threat. A corner midway through the half dropped kindly for Matt Phillips near the penalty spot, but with little pressure on him, he could only hook his effort over the bar.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment soon after when Bayliss underhit a pass back towards goal, gifting Phillips a one-on-one opportunity. Fortunately, he stumbled at the crucial moment, allowing the danger to pass.
City continued to probe. A neat move between Hackett and Moylan saw the latter create space on the edge of the area, but his effort lacked the power to trouble Marschall, who gathered comfortably.
Further changes followed, with Dom Jefferies and Deji Elerewe introduced, as City looked to find another route back into the game. The pattern, however, remained the same, plenty of possession, but Stevenage stood firm.
At the other end, Wickens was called into action, producing a good save to deny a powerful effort before Charlie Goode headed over from the resulting corner.
The Imps’ best late opportunity came when Lloyd did well down the flank, beating his man and delivering into the box, but Moylan could only guide his header over the bar.
In front of a crowd of 5,647, including 1,358 travelling supporters, City gave everything to try and rescue something from the game, and with a minute of injury time, a goal came. Wickens long ball into the area wasn’t dealt with, and Rob Street chested down, before firing home from close to the penalty spot to make it 2-2.
The goal lifted City, and Bayliss broke not long after, with Stevenage rushing to get back. The away fans were alive with belief, saw City then load a long throw and a corner into the box, as the home nerves jangled. A late Moylan ball saw Hackett head straight into Marschall’s arms.
Stevenage hunted an even later winner, but to no avail, ensuring the Imps unbeaten run went on. However, with Cardiff winning 3-1 against Reading, it means the gap is nine points with three games left to play.
On the anniversary of us confirming the 1976 title against Doncaster, a late goal from a player who was on loan at Doncaster last season means we can clinch the title at Doncaster on Tuesday.
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