Henry Moore’s 93rd minute winner was enough for Scott Hellewell’s Lincoln United side to see off Wisbech Town and win 3-2.
The Whites approached the game in third place, one point off top spot with just five games to play in the UCL Northern Premier League.
Lincoln came into the game unbeaten in 18 games as they guaranteed themselves at least a play-off spot with their win against Wibsech Town who sat in 15th place before the game with just one win in their last five.
United manager Hellewell made four changes to the side that beat Newark Town in the semi-final of the UCL Knockout Cup, with Scott Matthews, Jaime Ture, Jack McMenemy and Henry Moore all returning to the starting 11.
First-half comeback:
The deadlock was broken seven minutes into the game after a fantastic solo run from Amir Ward saw him beat two defenders and drive into the box. Rob Conyard was free in the middle, however Ward went alone and smashed it past Jack Steggles.
Lincoln nearly hit back in the 20th minute, when some silky feet from Owen Vincent opened up space for a shot which he struck towards the top corner. But, Will Lakin produced a fine save to claw it away for a corner.
The Whites were rewarded for their dominance just two minutes later via a clinical Jack McMenemy finish. The attacker’s low-driven shot nestled into the bottom corner for the equaliser, Lakin was left with no chance.
Liam Vayro awarded the home side a penalty after Jaime Ture was caught in the box down the left hand side on the 45th minute mark.
The captain Elliott Dye stepped up for Lincoln and converted excellently into the left side of the goal. Despite diving the right way Lakin was never keeping it out.
A Dramatic Late Winner
The first chance of the half arrived in the 55th minute as a long, high clearance was not dealt with by defender Tyler Knowles who was under pressure from McMenemy. The forward battled and managed to get a shot away, but it flashed wide of the near post.
The Fenmen had the opportunity to get level in the 66th minute when the ball got caught under the feet of Evan Payne. This gifted Sam Bennett a brilliant chance from inside the box, but his strike took a slight deflection and went behind for a corner.
United almost made it three through Gbolahan Okewoye after he was played in by Vincent in the 72nd minute, but an excellent recovery from Knowles denied the substitute from potentially killing the game off.
Wisbech would punish that miss just moments later as the scintillating pace of Ward beat Payne to a long ball. The winger kept his composure and stabbed the ball past an outstretched Steggles for the equaliser.
With exactly ten minutes remaining, United came agonisingly close to retaking the lead through Ture down the left flank. The winger beat the defender with some great skill and smashed the ball goalwards, McMenemy was inches away from tapping it home but it was ultimately just out of reach.
United found what proved to be the winner in the third minute of stoppage time through defender Henry Moore. A long throw was only partly cleared by the Wisbech defence and sent back in threateningly by Payne.
His cross was met by Moore whose powerful header to the ‘keeper’s left made it 3-2 to the hosts.
The result put Lincoln United top of the UCL Premier Division North as Bourne Town drew 1-1 with Gresley Rovers and Eastwood CFC lost 4-1 to Newark and Sherwood elsewhere.