For Middlesbrough, the important detail is not just the reported scoreline but the manner of it. Coming from behind in the first game of a season says something about composure and problem-solving. Promotion contenders are rarely judged only on how they play when a match is comfortable; they are judged on how quickly they respond when it is not.
An early stumble would have invited noise. A comeback win changes the mood around the club and gives the manager a platform.
If Lankshear did deliver a second-half double, that is the headline Middlesbrough wanted. New signings in attacking roles are often measured immediately, fairly or not. Goals settle that conversation fast.
What stands out is timing. A striker deciding a game in the second half points to sharpness, authority in key moments and a willingness from teammates to keep feeding the game through him. Middlesbrough have looked at their best in recent seasons when the central forward gives them a clear focal point; reports suggest Lankshear may already be doing that.
For Lincoln City, defeat would sting, but the wider picture should not be ignored. A side capable of leading away from home on the opening day is unlikely to be overwhelmed by the division. The reported end of that unbeaten run matters emotionally more than structurally.
The next question is simple: can Middlesbrough build on the momentum, and can Lincoln turn a competitive display into points in the next round of fixtures? Early August narratives shift quickly, but this looks like a result that could matter for both clubs.