Wycombe Wanderers maintained their strong start to the season with a win over Lincoln City, who themselves will feel unlucky to have come away with nothing.
An early goal from former Stoke City striker Sam Vokes was ultimately the difference between the sides on the day, picking up his second of the season with a great header.
Lincoln struggled to create many clear-cut chances, which has unfortunately been a running theme so far this campaign for the Imps.
Story of the match
The game got off to a lightning quick start, with experienced striker Vokes getting his head on the end of Jordan Obita's cross to give Wycombe the lead inside three minutes.
Lincoln's first opportunity arrived through their usual goal threat Anthony Scully, who saw his powerful effort from the edge of the box saved low by David Stockdale in the Wanderers goal.
Right-back Regan Poole saw a strike at goal blocked after he had cut inside, before a nasty cut to the face of forward Tom Hopper meant that play was temporarily halted.
The Imps were then having to put their bodies on the line, as Daryl Horgan's chance was well defended by both Adam Jackson and Tayo Edun.
Jackson soon found himself involved at the other end, seeing his header from Liam Bridcutt's delivery well saved by Stockdale. And as the game entered the final third of the half, Anthony Stewart put a header over from a Wycombe corner.
As the interval drew closer, Conor McGrandles curled an effort over the bar from outside the box as Lincoln pushed for an equaliser.
Hakeeb Adelakunsaw his strike from distance comfortably saved by Stockdale at the start of the second half, with Lincoln aiming to keep that attacking momentum alive for the second 45.
Substitute Dan Nlundulu very nearly got on the end of a ball across the box by Scully, where a touch would have surely resulted in a goal for the away side.
After a quiet spell in the match, where both sides struggled to gain control of the play, Vokes very nearly grabbed his and Wycombe's second on 74 minutes, seeing his shot deflect onto the post.
Like Nlundulu, Teddy Bishop was then close to making an impact off the bench, being denied from close range by Stockdale after being played in by fellow sub Lewis Fiorini.
Both Fiorini and Scully saw shots go over the bar, as the full-time whistle grew closer. With an uneventful five minutes of added time passing before the referee brought the game to a close.
Takeaways
Wycombe showcase their credentials of bouncing straight back up
The Blues weren't many people's favourite to gain promotion in pre-season, despite having just come down from the EFL Championship. But they are proving exactly why they deserved to go up back in 2020.
In Gareth Ainsworth they not only have the EFL's second longest serving manager, but also someone that has shown that he can get the best out of this group.
And gaining a win here against a tough to beat Lincoln side only further proves that point that they will likely be fighting at the top end this season.
Lincoln need their new faces to steady the ship after an inconsistent start to the season
After last seasons heartache of losing the play-off final to Blackpool, Lincoln may have expected somewhat of a hangover going into this campaign.
Plenty of new signings means that time will be required for them to gel with one another, but the issues in the final third look like a problem that may need to be addressed in the remaining days of the window.
It is still very early days however, so there is no need to panic at this point. As Michael Appleton will have faith that his side have the ability to challenge once again this time around.
Man of the match
David Stockdale
The former Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers throughout the game. Likely down to his side holding a 1-0 lead from the third minute.
Saves to deny Jackson and Bishop stood out in particular, as he did brilliantly to snuff out any whiff of a comeback from City. Keeping his first league clean sheet of the season to help propel his team into the automatic promotion places of the early season table.
The 35-year-old keeper has played in the Premier League, and showed that experience here to stand out as Wycombe's best player in a hard-earned win.