Semi-professional Cheltenham were completely outclassed by their full-time opponents and Brett Angell's goal was scant consolation as the Robins were
beaten 5-1. The return fixture at Whaddon Road was an altogether more competitive fixture and goals from Kevin Willetts, Anton Vircavs and Nick Jordan earned Cheltenham a creditable 3-3 draw.
Lincoln went on to take the title, accumulating 82 points to finish two points ahead of runners-up Barnet and reclaim their place in the professional ranks. The two teams met again a decade later when the 1998/99 FA Cup draw paired them together for a first round tie at Whaddon Road.
Cheltenham were riding high in the Conference and Lincoln were struggling at the foot of the Second Division. An upset was on the cards and the match was featured on Match of the Day's highlights show. However, there was no giant-killing act from Steve Cotterill's men and a Lee Thorpe header was enough to take John Reames' Lincoln, who included John Finnigan in their line-up, through to round two.
Cheltenham went on to take the Conference title that season and Lincoln failed in their bid to avoid the drop, so the teams met in the Football League for the first time in January 2000, in what was Cheltenham's first fixture of the new Millennium. The Cheltenham squad was badly hit by a flu bug and Lincoln strolled to a 2-0 victory.
Cheltenham improved as the season wore on and by the time they made the trip up to Lincolnshire, they were making a strong bid to reach the play-offs in their first season at that level. A Jamie Victory goal and a fine solo effort from Martin Devaney gave Cheltenham a hard fought 2-1 win.
The following year, the results were reversed as Cheltenham won on their own turf, but lost at Sincil Bank. A brace of headers from Mike Duff gave
Cheltenham a 2-1 win at Whaddon Road, but Lincoln withstood some late pressure to claim a 1-0 home victory.
During Cheltenham's promotion season of 2001/02, they beat Lincoln home and away for the first time. At home, Russell Milton's header and a deflected Tony Naylor strike gave Cheltenham a two-goal lead. Kingsley Black pulled one back for the Imps, but Cheltenham held out for a vital three points. On the road, a Julian Alsop header from a pinpoint Lee Williams cross was enough to extend Cheltenham's unbeaten run to 16 matches. Alsop's goal was his 19th of the season and gave Cotterill's men a 1-0 win.
After a one year hiatus in Division Two, Cheltenham made a quick return to the basement and took on Lincoln again last season. After a dull goalless draw at Sincil Bank, Cheltenham won a thrilling game at Whaddon Road with two late goals. Marcus Richardson put the Imps ahead after two minutes, but his strike was cancelled out by a stunning free-kick from Grant McCann. Richard Liburd was sent off for Lincoln, but Richardson restored his side's lead from the spot after being tripped by Mike Duff in the penalty box.
Lincoln looked as though they had done enough to claim a win, but John Finnigan levelled the scores against his old club after 86 minutes, firing home from the edge of the area. Substitute Kayode Odejayi then headed home a dramatic last minute winner to give John Ward's men a morale boosting victory.
Cheltenham's overall record v Lincoln City:
P W D L F-A
11 5 2 4 13-16