Richard Walker's second-half strike handed Bristol Rovers a slim 2-1 advantage over Lincoln at the end of their League Two play-off semi-final first leg.
Rovers got off to a perfect start, with Craig Disley's header giving the in-form hosts a lead with nine minutes gone.
But Lincoln, attempting promotion through the play-offs for the fifth successive year, levelled through Jeff Hughes' seventh of the campaign to leave the tie finely poised at the break.
Rovers came back strongly after half-time and Walker's 20th of the season restored their advantage eight minutes into the second period.
After that it was as tense as it was scrappy and there it is still all to play for at Sincil Bank on Thursday night.
Rovers appeared hesitant in the early stages and allowed Lincoln, who settled quickly, plenty of time and space.
Former Rovers striker Jamie Forrester struck a free-kick wide and Mark Stallard also sliced a shot off target for the visitors.
But with eight minutes on the clock, Walker prodded just wide for the Pirates after Lincoln failed to deal with Steve Elliott's long free-kick.
And a minute later, Rovers were in front. Rickie Lambert's clipped cross from the right was glanced into the corner by Disley to give Paul Trollope's men the lead.
In the 14th minute, with Rovers looking for an offside flag, Hughes lobbed wide for the Imps.
Five minutes later, Lambert's free-kick forced a fine save from Alan Marriott and the goalkeeper reacted quickly to block Byron Anthony's follow-up.
Lambert blazed a free-kick over just past the midway point of the opening period before Lee Beevers nodded wide at the other end.
But on the half hour, Hughes' in-swinging free-kick from the right was just missed by the onrushing Beevers and crept into the far corner of Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips' goal.
A Hughes corner was scrambled clear by Rovers a couple of minutes later before Disley's low strike was turned around the post by Marriott in the 40th minute and he did the same with a Haldane effort to keep his side level at the break.
Disley continued to offer a decent threat for the home side and drilled just over from Lambert's lay-off three minutes after the restart.
And in the 54th minute, Rovers were back in front when Stuart Campbell's lofted free-kick was collected by the unmarked Walker and fired home.
Elliott's low drive was well held by Marriott as the hosts continued to press.
Just before the hour, Forrester's low cross was scrambled clear and with 20 minutes remaining Lambert passed up the chance to open up a two-goal lead with a poor header from Elliott's cross.
Rovers seemed content though and before substitute Sean Rigg's low cross was initially fumbled by Marriott with six minutes left, they were happy to sit back.
Marriott thwarted Rigg's low drive with just over two minutes left and Lincoln, who have scored just three times since March, will have to carry much more of a goal threat in the second leg if they are to stand a chance of overturning the deficit and reaching the final at Wembley.
But Lincoln, attempting promotion through the play-offs for the fifth successive year, levelled through Jeff Hughes' seventh of the campaign to leave the tie finely poised at the break.
Rovers came back strongly after half-time and Walker's 20th of the season restored their advantage eight minutes into the second period.
After that it was as tense as it was scrappy and there it is still all to play for at Sincil Bank on Thursday night.
Rovers appeared hesitant in the early stages and allowed Lincoln, who settled quickly, plenty of time and space.
Former Rovers striker Jamie Forrester struck a free-kick wide and Mark Stallard also sliced a shot off target for the visitors.
But with eight minutes on the clock, Walker prodded just wide for the Pirates after Lincoln failed to deal with Steve Elliott's long free-kick.
And a minute later, Rovers were in front. Rickie Lambert's clipped cross from the right was glanced into the corner by Disley to give Paul Trollope's men the lead.
In the 14th minute, with Rovers looking for an offside flag, Hughes lobbed wide for the Imps.
Five minutes later, Lambert's free-kick forced a fine save from Alan Marriott and the goalkeeper reacted quickly to block Byron Anthony's follow-up.
Lambert blazed a free-kick over just past the midway point of the opening period before Lee Beevers nodded wide at the other end.
But on the half hour, Hughes' in-swinging free-kick from the right was just missed by the onrushing Beevers and crept into the far corner of Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips' goal.
A Hughes corner was scrambled clear by Rovers a couple of minutes later before Disley's low strike was turned around the post by Marriott in the 40th minute and he did the same with a Haldane effort to keep his side level at the break.
Disley continued to offer a decent threat for the home side and drilled just over from Lambert's lay-off three minutes after the restart.
And in the 54th minute, Rovers were back in front when Stuart Campbell's lofted free-kick was collected by the unmarked Walker and fired home.
Elliott's low drive was well held by Marriott as the hosts continued to press.
Just before the hour, Forrester's low cross was scrambled clear and with 20 minutes remaining Lambert passed up the chance to open up a two-goal lead with a poor header from Elliott's cross.
Rovers seemed content though and before substitute Sean Rigg's low cross was initially fumbled by Marriott with six minutes left, they were happy to sit back.
Marriott thwarted Rigg's low drive with just over two minutes left and Lincoln, who have scored just three times since March, will have to carry much more of a goal threat in the second leg if they are to stand a chance of overturning the deficit and reaching the final at Wembley.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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