A fourth game without a goal for Lincoln City ensured that more points were dropped in the chase for the Sky Bet League One play-off places on the first Saturday of 2025.
The draw means that the Imps are now nine points behind sixth-placed Reading, with many teams in front of the Imps having games in hand.
Michael Skubala made four changes to the side that lost disappointingly on New Year’s Day, with Lewis Montsma coming back into defence in place of Adam Jackson.
In the midfield, Ethan Erhahon returned to the squad after his one match suspension for the red card he picked up at Bolton Wanderers.
Tom Bayliss made his first League One start since October after his injury woes in place of Jack Moylan, while Reeco Hackett returned after a knock.
Both sides have struggled to reach the heights of the position they found themselves in last season, with Stevenage occupying the play-off places for some time last term.
Goalless again:
It was very nearly a disastrous start for Skubala’s side as Carl Piergianni headed home from inside the box in under two minutes. Fortunately for the Imps, the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
City’s first chance fell the way of the returning Tom Bayliss, as he linked up well with Jovon Makama to fashion a shooting opportunity which was held by visiting goalkeeper Murphy Cooper.
Nick Freeman kept the gloves of Wickens warm in near-freezing temperatures with his strike from outside the box, held by the ‘keeper.
Piergianni went close again, forcing a top save from Wickens’ fingertips, after his header was goal-bound.
Boro hit the post on 27 minutes, as Louis Thompson’s strike had Wickens beaten. The follow up from Nathan Thompson also hit the near post, but wouldn’t have counted anyway due to him being offside.
City struggled to create many openings against a resilient defence. Makama came closest for the Imps in stoppage time, with his strike helped over the bar from Murphy Cooper in another blunt attacking display.
A golden chance that sums up City’s form:
The Imps thought they had the opener when Lewis Montsma popped up at the back post to stab the ball home. However, referee Scott Tallis had spotted a handball and the goal was chalked off.
Somehow the score remained goalless after Tyreece Simpson, a constant thorn in the side of City’s defence, missed a golden chance from in the six yard box. A cross was headed by the striker straight into the body of Wickens from point blank range.
With 15 to play, Cadamateri tested Murphy from distance, as the Imps looked to finish the game stronger.
Harvey White was denied by Wickens at his near post, before the best chance came and went for City.
Moylan found Hackett on the left before the winger spotted Makama in the middle. Somehow, the youngster lifted the ball way over the crossbar from only a couple of yards out, summing City’s current run of form up.
The poor run of form extends, with City now winning only one of their last 12 Sky Bet League One games.
Next is a change to the FA Cup, where the Imps travel to Birmingham City, before hosting Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy.