Stevenage 0
Lincoln City 1
League (League One)

Match report written by Neil Metcalfe, The Comet

It was a tale of two penalties as Stevenage fell to defeat at home to Lincoln City.

Jack Moylan scored the one that was given on 72 minutes in the 1-0 win but seven minutes earlier Stevenage had a very good shout of their own.

The referee was unsighted though and advice from his linesman brought no decision, to the dismay of those with home allegiances.

There will be understandable frustrations at that but Stevenage were not at their best.

They did create one glorious chance in the first half but it was not taken and late pressure came to nothing.

Alex Revell made just the one change from the side that drew at Burton Albion last time out, Elliott List in for Harvey White.

Boro made two transfer deadline day signings with Ken Aboh going onto the bench in place of Louis Appere.

Jake Young was signed too late and while have to wait for his debut.

For those who want to see quality football and exciting football, the Lamex was not the place to be.

Even those that like to see strength and physical battles would have been grumbling at the fare on show, even if there was plenty of it.

Stevenage had plenty of opportunities to get the ball into the box but the deliveries, in the absence of White, were almost all unable to find a Boro shirt.

One second attempt from Kemp did at least get through to Carl Piergianni but he side-footed the ball wide.

The best opportunity came for Tyreece Simpson, all after a bouncing ball was not dealt with by the Lincoln defence.

The header back to the keeper looped up and was short, the Boro striker forcing the ball round goalkeeper George Wickens.

He still had a defender between him and the goal but he looked set and in control.

However, a horrible slice from about eight yards out sent the ball high and wide and left most in the ground with their heads in their hands,

A unmarked header in the box almost gave Lincoln a chance but Dan Butler was there to clear.

It was a rare foray forward from them.

In truth though neither side produced enough on the ball, the intensity on show all mischannelled.

The second half opened with a Stevenage booking, Kane Smith with a foul, but it was Lincoln who had the first chance of the second period, and it almost brought a goal.

A free-kick 20 yards out, on the edge of the box, was hit round the wall by Sean Roughan and may have clipped the post on its way wide.

A bigger moment came on 65 minutes as List broke between two defenders and was sent to the floor.

It looked like a foul but the referee was looking through players and needed advice from his linesman. No decision came.

He had a better view six minutes later when Butler tried to disposes JJ McKiernan from behind but only found the back of the Lincoln man's legs.

Moylan sent Murphy Cooper the wrong way to put Lincoln in front.

Boro had to finish the game with 10 men, Kane Smith holding his groin and unable to continue on 87 minutes, all after the hosts had used all their subs.

It produced their best spell of the game but there wasn't any opportunity to bring an equaliser.

And the game ended as it began, with physical play that ended with Paudie O'Connor sent off for two yellow cards.