Jamie Reid’s close-range finish in the second half was the difference as City fell to a narrow defeat at Stevenage.

Michael Skubala’s side had the first effort on target as Jack Burroughs’ ball forward to Jack Vale in the box was controlled by the Welshman who sent a shot on the turn, only to be collected comfortably by Taye Ashby-Hammond.

Stevenage also enjoyed some early chances as Alex MacDonald’s first time effort from the edge of the area was followed a few minutes later by Dan Butler’s 25-yard strike which both narrowly missed the target.

Boro opened up another opportunity for themselves in the 21st minute as Jamie Reid received the ball from the left before laying it off to MacDonald who was denied by a strong block by TJ Eyoma.

It was City who enjoyed more possession throughout the first half though, but couldn’t quite impose themselves in the final third until a brief flurry of half-chances came just before the interval.

Steve Evans’ side started the second half on the front foot and went close to taking the lead in the 53rd minute as Jake Forster-Caskey’s angled effort was parried into the path of Jordan Roberts who was denied by some last-ditch defending from Eyoma.

The hosts then hit the woodwork on the hour mark when Luther James-Wildin’s long throw in the box was knocked down to Kane Hemmings whose powerful drive bounced off the inside of the near post.

Stevenage’s pressure paid off as they took the lead in the 68th minute following Forster-Caskey’s corner into the area which was scrambled underneath Jensen and into the back of the net by Reid.

Forster-Caskey looked to cause more issues in the 82nd minute when the hosts were awarded a free-kick in a good area, which was fired over the wall and onto the roof of the net by the midfielder.

City still kept pushing in search of a way back into the match with a series of counter attacks late on, with the best effort coming to Ethan Hamilton whose effort on the turn was held by the keeper.

Stevenage could’ve put the game out of sight with a series of breakaway chances late on, but were unable to convert, leaving the hosts to take maxiumum points. 

Stevenage: Taye Ashby-Hammond, Luther James-Wildin, Dan Butler, Carl Piergianni, Alex MacDonald (Jake Forster-Caskey 46’), Nick Freeman (Ben Thompson 46’), Jordan Roberts (Elliott List 90+3'), Terence Vancooten, Finley Burns, Jamie Reid, Kane Hemmings. Subs (not used): Max Woodford, Nathan Thompson, Aaron Pressley, Louis Thompson.

Goals: Reid (68’).

Imps: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, TJ Eyoma (Jovon Makama 85’), Adam Jackson, Alex Mitchell, Jack Burroughs (Jaden Brown 85’), Ethan Erhahon, Ethan Hamilton, Ali Smith (Dylan Duffy 65’), Danny Mandroiu, Jack Vale (Hakeeb Adelakun 61’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Mide Shodipo, Gbolahan Okewoye.

Attendance: 5,075 (886 away).

Referee: Scott Simpson.