Will Lankshear scores late double as Middlesbrough defeat Lincoln City
Will Lankshear scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to complete a debut double as Middlesbrough fought back to beat newly-promoted Lincoln City 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium.
The marquee summer signing equalised just after the hour mark before snatching all three points in the dying moments of their Championship opener.
His late intervention cruelly ended an incredible 29-game unbeaten run for the visitors across all competitions.
Imps make dream start to Championship return
Lincoln were playing their first match in the second tier of English football since 1961.
The League One champions refused to be overawed by the occasion in front of an expectant 31,487 crowd on Teesside.
They took a shock lead in the 12th minute following an excellent move involving both of their wing-backs.
Captain Tendayi Darikwa surged down the right flank and delivered a firm cross across the penalty area.
Adam Reach arrived perfectly on the left side to drill a ferocious shot past debutant goalkeeper Radek Vitek from 15 yards.
Boro pressure eventually yields results
Kim Hellberg’s side responded strongly, with Leo Castledine and Alpha Kante both testing the opposition defence from distance.
The hosts intensified their attacking efforts as the half-time whistle approached.
However, Imps goalkeeper George Wickens produced a brilliant save to deny Kyle Joseph from close range.
The relentless pressure finally told in the 62nd minute when Callum Brittain delivered an inviting cross from the right wing.
The former Tottenham Hotspur forward connected decisively to drag the North Yorkshire outfit back on level terms.
Late heartbreak for spirited visitors
A draw seemed the likely outcome as Lincoln’s new joint head coaches, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, prepared to celebrate a hard-earned point.
The defensive resilience that characterised their historic nine-month undefeated streak was evident throughout much of the second period.
But the young striker had the final word, stabbing home deep into added time to break Lincoln hearts.
The dramatic climax secured a vital opening-day victory for Boro and showcased exactly why they invested heavily in their new attacking focal point.