Anguish for Lincoln City defender Andrew Boyce after Nuneaton defeat

Even in the midst of arguably his best form of the season, Andrew Boyce remains an incredibly hard man to please.

Defeat against Nuneaton is still causing him particular anguish given it was his defensive header which led to Wes York's stunning winner.

It was the only mistake he made all game, but when the stakes are so high personal triumph is hard to claim.

"Had we come off the pitch at the end last Saturday knowing we clinched a goalless draw, then I could say I had a good game," he said.

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"But the fact remains it was my header which led to the goal and we lost, so how can I be happy with how I played?

"As much as it was a great strike, though, nine times out of 10 I don't think he would have scored it.

"Either Farms (Paul Farman) would save it or it would have gone over the bar.

"But it didn't and I have to accept that it was my header which led to the goal and, believe me, that hurts because it was a big, big game."

Games of importance are now coming thick and fast for Lincoln, not least because they are entrenched in their fourth successive relegation battle.

The defeat against Nuneaton left them one point ahead of the drop zone having played more games than the rest of the teams below them.

This weekend they face their biggest game of the season against Telford, a side who are rock bottom and already have one toe in the Blue Square Bet North's waters.

Only a win will do and Boyce accepts this weekend eclipses his play-off final clash for Gainsborough last season when they were beaten by Nuneaton.

"Have I played in a game this big so far? Probably not given what's at stake," he said.

"For a club this size we shouldn't be in the position we are in.

"When I was at Gainsborough, I used to look at Lincoln and think that's a big club, it shouldn't be down there fighting relegation.

"For whatever reason it is happening again and we've only eight games left.

"So there's no point kidding ourselves, this weekend is massive.

"Like last weekend I don't expect it to be entertaining, but we have more than enough quality to get out of where we are.

"And not only that, we have the determination to do it as well.

"The lads here will give 100 per cent, no matter what they are faced with as we have proven throughout this season.

"We'll just have to do it again and get a result this weekend."

Lincoln will be without Vadaine Oliver who serves the last of his three-match ban for his sending off against Southport.

Craig Hobson is expected to continue as his replacement unless Imps' boss Gary Simpson makes a breakthrough in the transfer market.

Jake Sheridan is also fighting for a first-team place having made a fine cameo role as a substitute in the defeat against Nuneaton.