Two goals from Matt Rhead and a last minute header from Alex Simmons helped Lincoln City to a crucial 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood at Sincil Bank.
The Hertfordshire-based club made the stronger start however, with Charlie MacDonald’s powerful drive forcing an, albeit, simple save from Imps stopper Paul Farman.
Chris Moyses’ men began to find their footing just after the half hour mark and produced a flurry of near misses.
The first fell to Alex Simmons – who was making his bow in the starting eleven – but his effort somehow evaded Wood keeper Preston Edwards’ left hand post.
Simmons was amongst the action moments later, turning Luke Waterfall’s header onto the crossbar. The following cross by Bradley Wood was tipped onto the woodwork by Edwards, leaving Imps’ fans wondering how their side were not ahead.
Then the inevitable happened: Boreham Wood broke with pace and Matthew Whichelow’s deflected cross managed to squeeze into the top corner and escape the grasp of Farman.
The Imps struggled to break the resilient visitors down and went into the break a goal behind.
Their response in the second half was emphatic; on loan Terry Hawkridge saw his free-kick clatter the crossbar just minutes after the interval.
Their breakthrough came on 64 minutes – Hawkridge was bundled over in the penalty area and leading scorer Rhead sent Edwards the wrong way to make it 1-1.
The momentum was with Lincoln and they kept probing for a winner with Matt Sparrow and Simmons both going close.
Relief was felt around the Bank as the Imps snatched a vital winner with two minutes left.
A controversial corner was awarded, much to the frustration to the Boreham Wood players, but Hawkridge’s delivery was headed home by Rhead who, as a result, became the Vanarama National League’s top scorer.
Alex Simmons added a third late on to ensure the Imps of a valuable three points after going without a win in four matches.
Full-time: Lincoln City 3-1 Boreham Wood