by Jez Ashberry
Boston Town mounted a spirited second half fightback on their first league visit to Ashby Avenue for over 30 years.
But it proved in vain as Lincoln United showed why they’re widely tipped for promotion back to the Northern Premier League.
Former Poacher Joe Smith gave the hosts a 2nd minute lead, assisted by Jack Mcmenemy on the right wing.
The Whites could have doubled their lead after 9 minutes when Elliot Dye was gifted a chance shot straight at Travis Portas.
Lincoln looked quick and powerful up front from the off but gradually Martyn Bunce’s side started to get back into the game.
Bogdan Balint tried a volley from distance following a Layton Maddison free kick which forced keeper jack Steggles into an awkward safe under the crossbar.
Six minutes before the break, Smith returned the favour for McMenemy, who flicked in his cross from the right at the near post.
The first half was even overall but the Whites were more incisive in the last third, and took their chances clinically.
By contrast, there wasn’t much of a sniff in front of goal for the Poachers. Town have often relied on the long ball up to Jordan Nuttell, who didn’t get much change out of his markers, while a couple of rapier thrusts gave United a deserved advantage at half time.
After the break, the hosts had chances to extend their lead before sub Marshall Young hauled them back into it after 70 minutes.
He cut in from the left, used the decoy run of Jordan Tate and swept a good shot past Steggles.
Six minutes later, the Poachers came close to what had seemed an unlikely equaliser, as a corner was headed back at the far post by Richard Ford but Hobbins blazed over the bar.
It was end-to-end stuff in the last 10 minutes but despite a a flurry of corners, the visitors couldn’t find a second goal and United snatched another in injury time. Subs Sam Swinn and Matthew Cotton combined, Swinn crossing from the right for Cotton to convert from close range.
Town: Portas, Worthington, Balint (Tate), Maddison, Ford, Wilson, Adams (Young), Hobbins, Nuttell (Slater), Limb, Bayliss (Beeson)
Boston Town FC 